[Decision Concerning Educational and Tour Renewal Travel of Dependents During Period of Travel Advisory]

The Panama Canal Commission requested a decision regarding allowable educational and tour renewal travel expenses for dependents of employees in Panama who travelled from college to locations other than Panama during a travel advisory period. GAO held that: (1) Commission employees were entitled to travel benefits for dependents, without the requisite return travel to Panama, during the travel advisory period; and (2) the travel benefits should be limited to the costs of travel between the dependent's school and either the employee's U.S. residence or a designated, alternate location in the United States. Accordingly, the Commission could pay such expenses for dependents who did not return to Panama.