State employees; travel meal allowance, amended

This bill proposes to increase the meal allowance for state employees traveling within Alabama for six to 12 hours from 15 percent to 17.5 percent of the regular per diem rate. The change directly affects state workers on official business who do not require an overnight stay and are traveling for a duration between six and 12 hours. The bill amends existing state law to update this specific reimbursement calculation while maintaining other travel expense rules. The new provisions would take effect on October 1, 2026, and apply uniformly to all state employees traveling on official business within the state.