(a) Persons traveling in the service of the state or any of its departments, institutions, boards, bureaus, commissions, councils, committees, or other agencies, outside the State of Alabama, or within the State of Alabama for purposes of attending or assisting in hosting a convention, conference, seminar, or other meeting of a state, regional, or national organization of which the state or individual is a dues-paying member that is held within the state, shall be allowed all of their actual and necessary expenses in addition to the actual expenses for transportation. In-state travel authorized under this section is subject to the same documentation requirements as out-of-state travel.

(b) Except as provided in subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f), any travel for which a traveler intends to seek reimbursement from the state under this section shall be fully authorized in writing by the head of the traveler's agency prior to the traveler's departure. The written authorization shall contain the agency head's certification that the traveler's estimated reimbursable travel expenses have been reviewed and approved by the agency head as being necessary.

In the case of in-state travel under this section, the agency head shall also certify all of the following in the written authorization:

(1) That the person is traveling in service of the state for the purpose of attending or assisting in hosting a convention, conference, seminar, or other meeting of a state, regional, or national organization.

(2) That the State of Alabama or person traveling is a dues-paying member of the state, regional, or national organization and has documentation of membership on file.

Any travel by an agency head for which the agency head intends to seek reimbursement under this section shall be fully authorized in writing by the Governor prior to the agency head's departure. The Finance Director may establish policies and procedures for assisting agency heads in determining whether travel under this subsection should be authorized and will be reimbursable.

(c) With respect to the Legislative Department, members of the Legislature, subordinate officers and employees of the Legislature, the directors and employees of the Legislature, the directors and employees of the Legislative Services Agency, and Examiners of Public Accounts, travel shall be authorized in writing by the President of the Senate, for the President of the Senate and members of the Senate, by the Speaker of the House, for the Speaker of the House and members of the House of Representatives, by the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House for subordinate officers and employees of the Legislature, and by the directors for the directors and employees of the legislative departments.

(d) With respect to the Judicial Department and the officers and employees thereof, travel shall be authorized in writing by the Chief Justice.

(e) Persons representing institutions of higher learning shall receive authority for such travel from the presidents of the institution. Institutions of higher education may elect to prepay travel expenses for persons traveling in the service of the state.

(f) Persons representing the state Department of Agriculture and Industries shall receive authorization for such travel from the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries.

(g) This section shall not apply to examiners or other persons designated by the Commissioner of Insurance to examine or cause to be examined insurance corporations qualified or attempting to qualify in this state when the expense incurred by the examiner shall be paid by or collected or received from insurers or persons examined under Section 27-2-25.