Well about time but the real reason for the Federal per diem rate besides being much more generous is that the legislature under the state rate would have to submit receipts for their claimed expenses.  This requires traceable paperwork with signatures from those making the claims, not some aid to take the fall if it looks bad.  I used to receive per diem on a weekly basis for months at a time and every Friday I would take 15 minutes to personally do my required paperwork but this legislature is above that and very lazy.