118 STAT. 2423 PUBLIC LAW 108–426—NOV. 30, 2004 Public Law 108–426 108th Congress An Act To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide the Department of Transportation a more focused research organization with an emphasis on innovative technology, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement Act’’. SEC. 2. PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRA TION. (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 108 of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ‘‘§ 108. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administra tion ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration shall be an administration in the Department of Transportation. ‘‘(b) SAFETY AS HIGHEST PRIORITY.—In carrying out its duties, the Administration shall consider the assignment and maintenance of safety as the highest priority, recognizing the clear intent, encouragement, and dedication of Congress to the furtherance of the highest degree of safety in pipeline transportation and haz ardous materials transportation. ‘‘(c) ADMINISTRATOR.—The head of the Administration shall be the Administrator who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and shall be an individual with professional experience in pipeline safety, hazardous materials safety, or other transportation safety. The Administrator shall report directly to the Secretary of Transportation. ‘‘(d) DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR.—The Administration shall have a Deputy Administrator who shall be appointed by the Secretary. The Deputy Administrator shall carry out duties and powers pre scribed by the Administrator. ‘‘(e) CHIEF SAFETY OFFICER.—The Administration shall have an Assistant Administrator for Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety appointed in the competitive service by the Secretary. The Assistant Administrator shall be the Chief Safety Officer of the Administration. The Assistant Administrator shall carry out the duties and powers prescribed by the Administrator. ‘‘(f) DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR.—The Administrator shall carry out— President. Congress. Establishment. Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement Act. Government organization. 49 USC 101 note. Nov. 30, 2004 [H.R. 5163]
�
