Section 203. Reimbursement of travel expenses of persons attending interviews for appointment in state service

1. The appointing authority
  of a department or agency of  the  state,  subject  to  the  regulations
  hereinafter   mentioned  and  to  the  extent  that  appropriations  are
  available therefor, may reimburse persons for travel  expenses  incurred
  in travel necessary to attend interviews conducted by such department or
  agency  for  appointment  to  positions  in the service of the state for
  which there exists in New York state a shortage of qualified candidates.
  Positions in the competitive class for  which  there  are  shortages  of
  qualified  candidates  shall  be  determined  by the state department of
  civil  service;  for  positions  outside  the  competitive  class   such
  determination  shall  be made by the head of the department or agency in
  which the positions are authorized. The comptroller shall adopt and  may
  from  time  to  time  amend  regulations  for  carrying  into effect the
  provisions of this section. Such  regulations  may  limit  reimbursement
  hereunder  to  travel  expenses  incurred  in  travel  in  excess  of  a
  prescribed minimum distance, or may otherwise limit the amount  of  such
  expenses for which any person may be reimbursed.
    2.  The  reimbursement  of  travel  expenses  to a person attending an
  interview conducted by a department or agency of the state shall be made
  from monies appropriated and available to such department or agency  for
  travel  expenses.  Travel expenses shall be payable after audit and upon
  the warrant of the comptroller in accordance with the provisions of this
  chapter.