Meals
Prohibited Reimbursements

Meal Expenses Incurred Within a Designated Headquarters

A state agency may not reimburse a state employee for a meal expense incurred within the employee’s designated headquarters unless it is mandatory and connected with training, a seminar or a conference, per Texas Government Code, Sections 660.113(c), 660.009.

Meal Expenses Incurred While Not Conducting State Business

A state employee may not be reimbursed for a meal expense incurred while not conducting state business unless an exception applies, per Texas Government Code, Section 660.009. State business does not include the breakdown of a personally owned vehicle or any occurrence not connected with a state employee’s official duties.

Gratuities

Tips or gratuities paid in conjunction with meal expenses are generally not reimbursable. A mandatory service charge may only be reimbursed if the service charge is imposed by an establishment and cannot be refused by the customer.

Alcoholic Beverages

A state agency may not reimburse a state employee for the purchase of an alcoholic beverage unless the employee is a peace officer who purchased the beverage as evidence for an administrative or criminal case, per Texas Government Code, Section 660.113.