The Senate has passed a previously passed House Bill creating a new Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration which shall be an administration in the Department of Transportation. President Bush has signed into law H.R. 5163, the Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement Act. Pub. L. No. 108- 426. The new law establishes a new research agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation and transfers the hazardous materials transportation regulatory function to a new regulatory agency within DOT. This transfer of hazardous materials regulatory authority does not involve any substantive changes to the Hazardous Material Regulations. In carrying out its duties, the Administration shall consider the assignment and maintenance of safety as the highest priority.