During those times that a Member of the Legislature is required to be in Sacramento to attend a session of the Legislature and during those times that a member is traveling to and from, or is in attendance at, any meeting of a committee of which he or she is a member or is attending to any other legislative function or responsibility as authorized or directed by the rules of the house of which he or she is a member or by the joint rules, he or she shall be entitled to reimbursement of his or her living expenses at a rate established by the Department of General Services that is not less than the rate provided to federal employees traveling to Sacramento.