(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a member of the council may be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred while conducting the business of the council at the same rate provided for state employees in the General Appropriations Act, provided funds are appropriated to the department for this purpose.
(b) If funds are not appropriated to support reimbursement of travel expenses, the commissioner may authorize reimbursement of the travel expenses incurred by a member while conducting the business of the council, as provided in the General Appropriations Act, if the commissioner finds on application of the member that travel for council business imposes a financial hardship on the member.