[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 125 (Wednesday, October 6, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H8340-H8344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 0100
NORMAN Y. MINETA RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS IMPROVEMENT ACT
Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5163) 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, as
amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 5163
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
ADMINISTRATION.
(a) In General.--Section 108 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 108. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration
``(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 hazardous 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 prescribed 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--
``(1) duties and powers related to pipeline and hazardous
materials transportation and safety vested in the Secretary
by chapters 51, 57, 61, 601, and 603; and
``(2) other duties and powers prescribed by the Secretary.
``(g) Limitation.--A duty or power specified in subsection
(f)(1) may be transferred to another part of the Department
of Transportation or another government entity only if
specifically provided by law.''.
(b) Transfer of Duties and Powers of Research and Special
Programs Administration.--The authority of the Research and
Special Programs Administration exercised under chapters 51,
57, 61, 601, and 603 of title 49, United States Code, is
transferred to the Administrator of the Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Chapter analysis.--The analysis for chapter 1 of title
49, United States Code, is amended by striking the item
relating to section 108 and inserting the following:
``108. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.''.
(2) DOT inspectors.--Section 5118(b)(3)(A) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``Research and
Special Programs Administration'' and inserting ``Pipeline
and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration''.
(3) NTSB safety recommendations.--Section 19(a) of the
Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (49 U.S.C 1135 note;
116 Stat. 3009) is amended by striking ``Research and Special
Program Administration'' and inserting ``Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration''.
(4) National maritime enhancements institutes.--Section
8(f)(2) of Public Law 101-115 (46 U.S.C. App. 1121-2(f)(2))
is amended by striking ``Research and Special Programs
Administration'' and inserting ``Research and Innovative
Technology Administration''.
(5) Oil pollution research and development program.--
Section 7001 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C.
2761) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(3) by striking ``Research and Special
Projects Administration'' and inserting ``Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration''; and
[[Page H8341]]
(B) in subsection (c)(11) by striking ``Research and
Special Programs Administration'' and inserting ``Pipeline
and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration''.
(6) Penalties.--Section 844(g)(2)(B) of title 18, United
State Code, is amended by striking ``Research and Special
Projects Administration'' and inserting ``Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration''.
(d) Executive Schedule Pay Rate.--Section 5314 of title 5,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``Administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration.''.
SEC. 3. BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS.
(a) Establishment.--Section 111(a) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``in the Department of
Transportation'' and inserting ``in the Research and
Innovative Technology Administration''.
(b) Appointment of Director.--Section 111(b) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) Appointment.--The Bureau shall be headed by a
Director who shall be appointed in the competitive service by
the Secretary.''; and
(2) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4).
(c) Executive Schedule Pay Rate.--Section 5316 of title 5,
United States Code, is amended by striking the undesignated
paragraph relating to the Director, Bureau of Transportation
Statistics.
SEC. 4. RESEARCH AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY ADMINISTRATION.
(a) In General.--Section 112 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by striking the section heading and inserting the
following:
``Sec. 112. Research and Innovative Technology
Administration'';
(2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
``(a) Establishment.--The Research and Innovative
Technology Administration shall be an administration in the
Department of Transportation.'';
(3) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
``(d) Powers and Duties of the Administrator.--The
Administrator shall carry out--
``(1) powers and duties prescribed by the Secretary for--
``(A) coordination, facilitation, and review of the
Department's research and development programs and
activities;
``(B) advancement, and research and development, of
innovative technologies, including intelligent transportation
systems;
``(C) comprehensive transportation statistics research,
analysis, and reporting;
``(D) education and training in transportation and
transportation-related fields; and
``(E) activities of the Volpe National Transportation
Center; and
``(2) other powers and duties prescribed by the
Secretary.''; and
(4) by striking subsection (e).
(b) Clarification.--
(1) In general.--Nothing in this Act shall grant any
authority to the Research and Innovative Technology
Administration over research and other programs, activities,
standards, or regulations administered by the Secretary of
Transportation through the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration.
(2) Applicability.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the
research and other programs, activities, standards, or
regulations provided for in highway and traffic safety
programs, administered by the Secretary through the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in title 23, United
States Code, and chapter 303 of title 49, United States Code,
as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
(c) Office of Intermodalism.--Section 5503(a) of title 49,
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Research
and Innovative Technology Administration an Office of
Intermodalism.''.
(d) Transfer of Powers and Duties of Research and Special
Programs Administration.--The authority of the Research and
Special Programs Administration, other than authority
exercised under chapters 51, 57, 61, 601, and 603 of title
49, United States Code, is transferred to the Administrator
of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration.
(e) Conforming Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 1 of
title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking the item
relating to section 112 and inserting the following:
``112. Research and Innovative Technology Administration.''.
(f) Executive Schedule Pay Rate.--Section 5314 of title 5,
United States Code, is amended by striking the undesignated
paragraph relating to the Administrator, Research and Special
Programs Administration and inserting the following:
``Administrator, Research and Innovative Technology
Administration.''.
(g) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Research and
Innovative Technology Administration shall submit to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the
Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate a report on the research activities of the Department
of Transportation.
(2) Contents.--The report shall include--
(A) a summary of the mission and strategic goals of the
Administration;
(B) a prioritized list of the research and development
activities that the Department intends to pursue over the
next 5 years;
(C) a description of the primary purposes for conducting
such research and development activities, such as reducing
traffic congestion, improving mobility, and promoting safety;
(D) an estimate of the funding levels needed to implement
such research and development activities for the current
fiscal year; and
(E) any additional information the Administrator considers
appropriate.
(3) Development.--In developing the report, the
Administrator shall--
(A) solicit input from a wide range of stakeholders;
(B) take into account how the research and development
activities of other Federal, State, private sector, and not-
for-profit institutions contribute to the achievement of the
purposes identified under paragraph (2)(C); and
(C) address methods to avoid unnecessary duplication of
efforts in achieving such purposes.
SEC. 5. SAVINGS PROVISIONS.
(a) Transfer of Assets and Personnel.--Personnel, property,
and records employed, used, held, available, or to be made
available in connection with functions transferred within the
Department of Transportation by this Act shall be transferred
for use in connection with the functions transferred, and
unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations, and other
funds (including funds of any predecessor entity) shall also
be transferred accordingly.
(b) Legal Documents.--All orders, determinations, rules,
regulations, permits, grants, loans, contracts, settlements,
agreements, certificates, licenses, and privileges--
(1) that have been issued, made, granted, or allowed to
become effective by any officer or employee, or any other
Government official, or by a court of competent jurisdiction,
in the performance of any function that is transferred by
this Act; and
(2) that are in effect on the effective date of such
transfer (or become effective after such date pursuant to
their terms as in effect on such effective date),
shall continue in effect according to their terms until
modified, terminated, superseded, set aside, or revoked in
accordance with law by the Department, any other authorized
official, a court of competent jurisdiction, or operation of
law.
(c) Proceedings.--The provisions of this Act shall not
affect any proceedings, including administrative enforcement
actions, pending before this Act takes effect, insofar as
those functions are transferred by this Act; but such
proceedings, to the extent that they relate to functions so
transferred, shall proceed in accordance with applicable law
and regulations. Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed
to prohibit the conclusion or modification of any proceeding
described in this subsection under the same terms and
conditions and to the same extent that such proceeding could
have been concluded or modified if this Act had not been
enacted. The Secretary of Transportation is authorized to
provide for the orderly transfer of pending proceedings.
(d) Suits.--
(1) In general.--This Act shall not affect suits commenced
before the date of enactment of this Act, except as provided
in paragraphs (2) and (3). In all such suits, proceedings
shall be had, appeals taken, and judgments rendered in the
same manner and with the same effect as if this Act had not
been enacted.
(2) Suits by or against department.--Any suit by or against
the Department begun before the date of enactment of this
Act, shall proceed in accordance with applicable law and
regulations, insofar as it involves a function retained and
transferred under this Act.
(3) Procedures for remanded cases.--If the court in a suit
described in paragraph (1) remands a case, subsequent
proceedings related to such case shall proceed under
procedures that are in accordance with applicable law and
regulations as in effect at the time of such subsequent
proceedings.
(e) Continuance of Actions Against Officers.--No suit,
action, or other proceeding commenced by or against any
officer in his or her official capacity shall abate by reason
of the enactment of this Act.
(f) Exercise of Authorities.--An officer or employee of the
Department, for purposes of performing a function transferred
by this Act, may exercise all authorities under any other
provision of law that were available with respect to the
performance of that function to the official responsible for
the performance of the function immediately before the
effective date of the transfer of the function by this Act.
(g) References.--A reference relating to an agency,
officer, or employee affected by this Act in any Federal law,
Executive order, rule, regulation, or delegation of
authority, or in any document pertaining to an officer or
employee, is deemed to refer, as appropriate, to the agency,
officer, or employee who succeeds to the functions
transferred by this Act.
(h) Definition.--In this section, the term ``this Act''
includes the amendments made by this Act.
[[Page H8342]]
SEC. 6. REPORTS.
(a) Reports by the Inspector General.--Not later than 30
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Inspector
General of the Department of Transportation shall submit to
the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration a
report containing the following:
(1) A list of each statutory mandate regarding pipeline
safety or hazardous materials safety that has not been
implemented.
(2) A list of each open safety recommendation made by the
National Transportation Safety Board or the Inspector General
regarding pipeline safety or hazardous materials safety.
(b) Reports by the Secretary.--
(1) Statutory mandates.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter
until each of the mandates referred to in subsection (a)(1)
has been implemented, the Secretary shall transmit to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report on the specific actions
taken to implement such mandates.
(2) NTSB and inspector general recommendations.--Not later
than January 1st of each year, the Secretary shall transmit
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report containing each
recommendation referred to in subsection (a)(2) and a copy of
the Department of Transportation response to each such
recommendation.
SEC. 7. DEADLINE FOR TRANSFERS.
The Secretary shall provide for the orderly transfer of
duties and powers under this Act, including the amendments
made by this Act, as soon as practicable but not later than
90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida). Pursuant
to the rule, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman
from Illinois (Mr. Costello) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).
Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, the Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs
Improvement Act Reorganizes the current Research and Special Programs
Administration to two new administrations: the Research and Innovative
Technologies Administration, and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration.
The new Research and Innovative Technologies Administration will have
the research authority currently exercised by the Research and Special
Programs Administration. This includes the coordination, facilitation,
and review of the department's research and development programs and
activities; the advancement of innovative technologies and intelligent
transportation systems; and any other research authority that the
Secretary deems appropriate.
The new Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration will
hold the authority currently exercised by the Research and Special
Programs Administration with regard to pipeline safety and will also
include all current law hazardous materials authority exercised by the
Office of Hazardous Materials.
As the caption of the bill indicates, Mr. Speaker, I would say that,
when I was first elected in 1995, Norm Mineta was the ranking Democrat
on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. I found him to
be, and he continues to be a wonderful, was a wonderful Member of
Congress, a true leader in transportation. He is now, of course, the
current Secretary of the Department of Transportation, and I can think
of no more fitting honor than to name this new administration in his
honor. I urge all of our colleagues to pass the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5163, the Norman Y.
Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement Act. This bill will
achieve long overdue improvements in the U.S. Transportation
Department's handling of pipeline and hazardous materials
transportation safety programs and DOT's transportation research
programs. Under this bill, the department would reorganize the current
Research and Special Programs Administration into two administrations:
the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration and the
Research and Innovative Technology Administration.
Creating this agency will elevate the profile of pipeline
transportation and hazardous materials transportation within the
department. Importantly, the bill declares that safety will be the
highest priority of the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety
Administration and creates a position of chief safety officer within
the PHMSA.
We know from experience that accidents in the pipeline or hazardous
materials transportation can be devastating. In 1999 and in 2000, two
separate pipeline accidents occurred, resulting in the deaths of 15
people. Additionally, over the past 10 years, accidents involving
hazardous materials have accounted for more than 220 deaths, 3,500
injuries, and well over $500 million in damage.
Mr. Speaker, this bill is a direct response to these tragic
incidents, and the creation of this administration is an important
first step to ensure the safety of pipeline and hazardous materials
transportation is at the forefront of DOT's regulation and supervision
of these activities.
This bill also creates a new research administration that will better
focus DOT's transportation research activities and helps ensure that
Federal dollars are invested in research and innovative technologies
that help address our Nation's most pressing transportation problems.
The Research and Innovative Technology Administration will help
coordinate and facilitate the department's research activities. This
bill transfers the department's Bureau of Transportation Statistics and
Office of Intermodalism to RITA.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, this bill is appropriately named after
Secretary of Transportation Norm Mineta. Throughout his service as the
chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in this
body and his service as Secretary of Transportation for the Nation,
Norm Mineta has devoted himself to the betterment of our Nation's
transportation system. This bill does just that, and I urge Members to
support it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
At this point I will insert into the Record an exchange of letters
between the chairman of our full committee, the gentleman from Alaska
(Mr. Young) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) regarding
H.R. 5163.
Congress of the United States, House of Representatives,
Committee on Government Reform,
Washington, DC, October 6, 2004.
Hon. Don Young,
Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Young: I am writing regarding H.R. 5163, ``Norman
Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement Act.'' As
you know, the bill includes provisions within the
jurisdiction of the Committee on Government Reform.
Specifically, the Committee has jurisdiction over the
Executive Schedule Pay Rate in Title 5 of the U.S. Code.
In the interests of moving this important legislation
forward, I will agree to waive sequential consideration of
this bill by the Committee on Government Reform. However, I
do so only with the understanding that this procedural route
should not be construed to prejudice the Committee on
Government Reform's jurisdictional interest and prerogatives
on this bill or other similar legislation. I respectfully
request your support for the appointment of outside conferees
from the Committee on Government Reform should this bill or a
similar Senate bill be considered in conference with the
Senate.
Finally, I would ask that you include a copy of our
exchange of letters on this matter in the committee report
and in the Congressional Record during floor consideration.
Thank you for your assistance and cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Tom Davis
Chairman.
____
U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure,
Washington, DC, October 6, 2004.
Hon. Tom Davis, Chairman, Committee on Government Reform,
Rayburn Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter of October 6,
2004 regarding H.R. 5163, the Norman Y. Mineta Research and
Special Programs Reorganization Act, and for your willingness
to waive consideration of provisions in the bill that falls
within your Committee's jurisdiction under House Rules.
[[Page H8343]]
I agree that your waiving consideration of these provisions
of H.R. 5163 does not waive your Committee's jurisdiction
over the bill. I also acknowledge your right to seek
conferees on any provisions that are under your Committee's
jurisdiction during any House-Senate conferees on such
provisions.
As you request, your letter and this response will be
included in the Committee report on the legislation and the
Congressional Record.
Thank you for your cooperation in moving this legislation
to the House Floor.
Sincerely,
Don Young,
Chairman.
____
Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 5163, the ``Norman Y. Mineta
Research and Special Programs Reorganization Act.'' I thank my good
friend Secretary Mineta for his leadership on this issue, and I thank
Chairman Young and Ranking Member Oberstar for working cooperatively
with Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairman Barton and me to ensure
an acceptable outcome for all.
The legislation we consider today accomplishes many worthy
objectives. My remarks, however, will focus on one particular provision
with respect to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA). The NHTSA administers many programs, including research and
development, that improve the safety and fuel economy of motor vehicles
in the United States. The authors of this legislation worked with
Chairman Barton and me to ensure that these programs were not affected
by the legislation before us today. Specifically, section 4(b) of the
bill clearly states that the newly formed Research and Innovative
Technology Administration will have no authority over the programs,
activities, standards, and regulations of NHTSA over which the
Committee on Energy and Commerce has jurisdiction, including motor
vehicle safety and fuel economy.
I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5163, the
Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement Act. I
believe this bill is appropriately named--as my good friend, Norm
Mineta, has dedicated a lifetime to improving transportation and
strengthening safe in this country.
Last year, the Department of Transportation (DOT) approached the
Transportation Committee with a proposal to reorganize the DOT. The
proposal was, first, to abolish the Research and Special Programs
Administration (RSPA) and reinvent it as the Research and Technology
Innovation Administration, and then to transfer the pipeline program,
which is housed under RSPA, to the Federal Railroad Administration.
That proposal raised serious concerns that pipeline safety would not
get adequate attention in an agency focused solely on railroads. The
Committee, on a bipartisan basis, directed the DOT to go back to the
drawing board, and they have now come back to us with a much better
proposal. This bill will restructure the Research and Special Programs
Administration by splitting its functions into two separate, more-
focused agencies within the Department of Transportation: the new
Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) and the new
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
Mr. Speaker, I've had 20 years experience with the Office of Pipeline
Safety (OPS), and I believe that this Act is a good ``first step''
toward helping the Department raise pipeline and hazardous materials
safety to the level of significance they deserve, and need.
Our nation's pipeline system consists of more than two million miles
of pipe moving millions of gallons of hazardous liquids and more than
55 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily. Although moving commodities
such as crude oil, diesel fuel, gasoline, and natural gas through
pipelines may be safer than moving the same commodities on other
transportation modes, pipeline incidents can have catastrophic
consequences, such as the deadly explosions in Bellingham, Washington,
and Carlsbad, New Mexico, in which a total of 15 people were killed.
This past June, DOT Inspector General Kenneth Mead released an audit
report that found severe deficiencies in the government's pipeline
safety program. The Inspector General found: Of the 31 mandates from
legislation enacted in 1992 and 1996, six mandates have yet to be
implemented, and all of these are over eight years past due. For
example, two such mandates, which are a decade overdue, require
defining ``natural gas and hazardous liquid gathering lines'' in order
to determine which lines can and should be regulated. Separately, seven
NTSB safety recommendations remain open, two of which were identified
in an Inspector General report issued in March 2000. This is
unacceptable, and it is my hope that this bill will set OPS on a path
toward finalizing all mandated and recommendations in a timely fashion,
while ensuring that the agency is working effectively to promote safety
as its highest priority.
To accomplish this, we included safeguards in this bill, which are
modeled after the safety functions of the Federal Aviation
Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
First, we require PHMSA to consider the assignment and maintenance of
safety as the highest priority. Second, we require PHMSA to hire a
Chief Safety Officer who will help keep the agency focused on its new
safety mission. Third, we require the Inspector General to transmit to
the Secretary of Transportation and to Congress periodic reports on the
progress PHMSA has or has not made on implementing the outstanding
statutory mandates and recommendations.
Pipeline security must also receive more focused attention. The
Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security
have just finalized a Memorandum of Understanding that seeks to improve
the Departments' cooperation and coordination in promoting the safe,
secure, and efficient movement of people and goods throughout our vast
transportation network. However, no such agreement exists to
specifically address the unique challenge of securing our Nation's
pipelines. The Committee report therefore directs the Departments of
Transportation and Homeland Security and the Departments of
Transportation and Energy to execute separate Memorandums of
Understanding governing the roles, responsibilities, and resources of
the Departments in addressing pipeline and hazardous materials
transportation security.
With respect to hazardous materials transportation, from 1994 to 2003
(the most recent information available), more than 157,000 hazardous
materials incidents and accidents have occurred. These accidents have
accounted for more than 220 deaths, 3,500 injuries, and well over $500
million in damages. Yet responsibility for the hazardous materials
transportation safety has bounced around the Department and is now
buried deep within RSPA. Unless the office has a higher profile within
the Department and the federal hazmat program itself is significantly
improved, there will surely be more deaths and injuries.
We have included long-needed improvements to federal hazmat law in
H.R. 3550 and I support enactment of those provisions through the
comprehensive surface transportation reauthorization bill. But for now,
let us begin the strengthening of our hazmat laws with the creation of
this new Administration and a renewed focus on pipeline and hazardous
materials safety.
Furthermore, this bill creates a new Administration to focus on DOT's
research and development activities: the Research and Innovative
Technology Administration. By creating a separate Administration to
manage these important activities, this bill goes a long way to move
transportation research forward and to ensure that federal dollars are
invested in research and innovative technologies that help address our
Nation's pressing transportation needs.
This bill also places the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and the
Office of Intermodalism within RITA. I championed the creation of the
Office of Intermodalism. Yet, regrettably, since its creation it has
not fulfilled its original mission. This bill will help give the Office
new direction, and help contribute and perhaps improve upon DOT's
intermodal programs and activities.
I'd like to thank Secretary Mineta for spearheading this reform, an
thank him for his continued commitment to transportation safety. I
support this bill, and I urge all Members vote for it.
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5163,
the Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement Act. The
goal of this legislation is to align and strengthen the planning of
research and development activities at the Department of
Transportation.
As chairman of the Environment, Technology, and Standards
Subcommittee of the Science Committee, I have spent the past two years
examining surface transportation research programs and identifying ways
to improve the coordination, planning and implementation of this
important research. I developed a comprehensive bill to achieve these
goals, most of which was included in the House version of the larger
transportation reauthorization bill. Unfortunately, we have not yet
been able to reconcile our differences with the Senate to pass the
larger bill.
However, I am pleased that Secretary Mineta had the personal vision
and commitment to seek to reorganize the Department to begin efforts to
reform and strengthen research programs. Mr. Mineta, in addition to
being Secretary of Transportation (and previously Secretary of
Commerce), was a leader on transportation issues in the House of
Representatives for 20 years. Specifically, he has always made sure
that research played a strong role in developing transportation policy
and programs. This legislation is a perfect example of his commitment
to that goal.
[[Page H8344]]
This bill is a good first step in reforming and strengthening
research at the Department of Transportation. The chief responsibility
of the new Administration created by this bill, the Research and
Innovative Technology Administration, is to coordinate research across
the Department. This is to ensure that we are getting the maximum out
of our research dollars by funding research that contributes directly
towards the goals of the transportation system and is not unnecessarily
duplicative of other research efforts. But we have much to do to
improve research at the Department, and I look forward to completing
the job early next year as we pass the larger reauthorization bill.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Young and his staff for working
with me and my staff to incorporate our views into this legislation. I
urge my colleagues to support the Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special
Programs Improvement Act.
Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the bill, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 5163, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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