1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, a state agency, board or commission may pay for the travel and per diem expenses of the three most highly rated applicants for a permanent position with that agency, board or commission incurred while those applicants are being interviewed for that position.
2. If such an applicant must travel from another state to be interviewed, the expenses must be paid at the rate established by the State Board of Examiners for state employees traveling outside the State. If such an applicant must travel from within the State to be interviewed, the expenses must be paid at the rate established by the State Board of Examiners for state employees traveling within the State.
3. If the position is offered to one of the applicants and that applicant does not accept it, the agency, board or commission may not pay for that applicant’s expenses.
4. All requests for payment pursuant to this section must be submitted to the State Board of Examiners before obligations are incurred. Upon approval by the State Board of Examiners, claims must be submitted for payment in the same manner as other claims against the State from money available to the agency, board or commission.