(a) A state employee who is designated by a member of the legislature, a judicial officer, a chief administrator of a state agency, the executive director of the Texas Legislative Council, the secretary of the senate, or a board member to represent the designating party at a particular meeting or conference is entitled to reimbursement for the actual expense of meals and lodging on the trip.
(b) A member of the legislature, a judicial officer, a chief administrator of a state agency, the executive director of the Texas Legislative Council, the secretary of the senate, and a board member may authorize a state employee traveling with the authorizing party to a particular meeting or conference to receive reimbursement for the actual expense of the employee's meals and lodging on the trip.