S 2503
· 119th Congress
· Transportation and Public Works
ROTOR Act
Sponsor
Latest action
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 264 - 133 (Roll no. 72).
Action timeline
Every recorded action on this bill, newest first. Stage badges color-code the legislative path.
Feb 24, 2026
floor
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2277)
Feb 24, 2026
passed
Failed of passage/not agreed to in House On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 264 - 133 (Roll no. 72).
Feb 24, 2026
floor
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 264 - 133 (Roll no. 72).
Feb 23, 2026
floor
Mr. Graves moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Feb 23, 2026
floor
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2248-2257)
Feb 23, 2026
floor
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2503.
Feb 23, 2026
floor
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Dec 18, 2025
floor
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 18, 2025
floor
Received in the House.
Dec 18, 2025
floor
Held at the desk.
Dec 17, 2025
floor
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8811-8817)
Dec 17, 2025
floor
The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 17, 2025
passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 17, 2025
passed
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S8813-8817)
Nov 18, 2025
committee
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Nov 18, 2025
other
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 269.
Oct 21, 2025
committee
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Jul 29, 2025
introduced
Introduced in Senate
Jul 29, 2025
introduced
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Roll-call votes
Floor votes recorded on this bill.
Roll call #72 — On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
February 24, 2026 · Failed
264
Yea
133
Nay
35
Missed
D
187–1
(26 missed)
R
77–132
(9 missed)
view official roll-call →
Text versions
Each stage of the bill — official text published by GPO. Click any format to read on congress.gov / govinfo.
CRS summaries
Plain-English summaries written by the Congressional Research Service — neutral, nonpartisan staff who summarize bills as they advance through stages. The authoritative description of what each version of the bill does.
55
Passed Senate
Dec 17, 2025
Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act or the ROTOR Act
This bill addresses aviation safety by increasing requirements for aircraft tracking and communication using Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology and expanding oversight.
As background, ADS-B for broadcasting (Out) and receiving (In) transmits information (e.g., location and weather information) between aircraft and air traffic control.
Under the bill, aircraft must generally operate with ADS-B In equipment to provide the aircraft with location information of other aircraft and traffic advisories. Current law does not require this equipment.
Current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations allow aircraft performing a sensitive government mission to be excepted from requirements for using ADS-B Out equipment. This bill limits which flights may be considered sensitive government missions (e.g., not training flights) and requires additional reporting and notifications for the exception.
The Government Accountability Office must review the use of the ADS-B Out exception and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Transportation must annually audit FAA oversight of operations that use the exception.
Further, the bill repeals a 2025 law that exempts certain military helicopters from the ADS-B Out requirements for the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.
The bill also requires
the OIG of the Army to audit the Army’s coordination with the FAA,
the FAA to establish an office to coordinate airspace usage of military aircraft and review the safety of flight operations and routes around airports, and
the FAA to enter into memoranda of understanding with military agencies for safety information sharing.
via Congressional Research Service · published through congress.gov
Changelog
ⓘ
How a bill moves through Congress. Each stage produces a new official text. The diff between them shows what changed at that step.
ih / is — Introduced in House / Senate. First filed version.rfh / rfs — Referred to a committee for review.rh / rs — Reported back by the committee to the floor (often with amendments — this is where most language changes happen).pcs / pch — Placed on Calendar for floor consideration.eh / es — Engrossed. Passed by the originating chamber. Text is now what was actually voted on.rdh / rds — Received by the other chamber.eah / eas — Engrossed Amendment. The other chamber passed an amended version.ath / ats — Agreed to. Both chambers settled on the same text.enr — Enrolled. Final reconciled text, sent to the President.pl — Public Law. Signed by the President. It's now law.pp — Public Print. Official printing post-enactment.
Most bills die before eh/es. Going from pcs → enr is the full path through both chambers.
ⓘ
How a bill moves through Congress. Each stage produces a new official text. The diff between them shows what changed at that step.
ih/is— Introduced in House / Senate. First filed version.rfh/rfs— Referred to a committee for review.rh/rs— Reported back by the committee to the floor (often with amendments — this is where most language changes happen).pcs/pch— Placed on Calendar for floor consideration.eh/es— Engrossed. Passed by the originating chamber. Text is now what was actually voted on.rdh/rds— Received by the other chamber.eah/eas— Engrossed Amendment. The other chamber passed an amended version.ath/ats— Agreed to. Both chambers settled on the same text.enr— Enrolled. Final reconciled text, sent to the President.pl— Public Law. Signed by the President. It's now law.pp— Public Print. Official printing post-enactment.
Most bills die before eh/es. Going from pcs → enr is the full path through both chambers.
Line-level diff between text versions of this bill — what actually changed at each legislative stage.
+112
−363
94 unchanged
--- Reported (Senate)
+++ Engrossed (Senate)
@@ -1,346 +1,22 @@
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
-[S. 2503 Reported in Senate (RS)]
+[S. 2503 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]
<DOC>
-Calendar No. 269
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2503
+_______________________________________________________________________
+
+AN ACT
+
To require all aircraft to be equipped with Automatic Dependent
Surveillance-Broadcast In, to improve aviation safety, and for other
purposes.
-_______________________________________________________________________
-
-IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
-
-July 29, 2025
-
-Mr. Cruz (for himself, Mr. Moran, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Budd, Mrs.
-Capito, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Schmitt, Mr. Sheehy, Mr. Young, Ms. Cantwell,
-Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Warner, and Mr. Markey) introduced the
-following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
-Commerce, Science, and Transportation
-
-November 18, 2025
-
-Reported by Mr. Cruz, with an amendment
-[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
-in italic]
-
-_______________________________________________________________________
-
-A BILL
-
-To require all aircraft to be equipped with Automatic Dependent
-Surveillance-Broadcast In, to improve aviation safety, and for other
-purposes.
-
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
-
-<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
-
-<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Rotorcraft Operations
-Transparency and Oversight Reform Act'' or the ``ROTOR Act''.</DELETED>
-
-<DELETED>SEC. 2. REVISION TO EXCEPTION FOR ADS-B OUT
-TRANSMISSION.</DELETED>
-
-<DELETED> (a) Rulemaking.--</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
-date of enactment of this section, the Administrator of the
-Federal Aviation Administration (in this Act referred to as the
-``Administrator'') shall issue or revise regulations to clarify
-that, with respect to the exception described in section
-91.225(f)(1) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, the term
-``sensitive government mission'' shall not include any
-proficiency evaluation or training mission operated within the
-lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class B or Class C
-airspace, unless such operation is for a national security
-event.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (2) Report.--If the Administrator fails to issue
-or revise regulations pursuant to paragraph (1), the
-Administrator shall, within 30 days, submit to the Committee on
-Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
-Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
-Representatives a report on the status of such regulations,
-including the reasons that the Administrator has failed to
-issue or revise such regulations.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (b) Guidance on Use of Technology Other Than ADS-B.--Not
-later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the
-Administrator shall issue guidance to clarify that, to the extent
-practicable, all aircraft operating for purposes of national defense,
-homeland security intelligence, or law enforcement should utilize
-Traffic Information Services-Broadcast (``TIS-B'') and the Traffic
-Alert and Collision Avoidance System (``TCAS'').</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (c) Reports.--</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (1) To the administrator.--Not later than 90 days
-after the date of enactment of this section, each agency
-required to operate Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast
-Out (in this Act referred to as ``ADS-B Out'') in transmit mode
-in accordance with section 91.225 of such title 14 shall submit
-to the Administrator, on a quarterly basis until the date
-described in paragraph (3), a report that includes--</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (A) an attestation that such operations
-are regularly transmitting ADS-B Out and are conducted
-with proper consideration to aviation safety;
-and</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (B) a summary of operations in which the
-ADS-B Out equipment is not in transmit mode, including
-the date, time, duration, and mission type of such
-operations.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (2) To congress.--</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days
-after the date of enactment of this section, and
-biannually thereafter until the date described in
-paragraph (3), the Administrator shall submit to the
-Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
-the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
-Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report
-on the frequency and nature of the ADS-B Out exceptions
-granted to Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies
-under section 91.225(f)(1) of title 14, Code of Federal
-Regulations. Such report shall include--</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (i) aggregated data on the
-operations in which ADS-B Out equipment is not
-in transmit mode by each agency described in
-paragraph (1); and</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (ii) a determination from the
-Administrator whether such operations
-jeopardize aviation safety.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (B) Special notification.--If the
-Administrator determines that an agency described in
-paragraph (1) is too frequently, at the discretion of
-the Administrator, using exceptions granted under
-section 91.225(f)(1) of such title 14, the
-Administrator shall notify the Committee on Commerce,
-Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
-Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the
-House of Representatives of such determination within
-14 days of such determination.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (3) Sunset.--The reporting requirements described
-in this subsection shall terminate on the date that is 10 years
-after the date of enactment of this section.</DELETED>
-
-<DELETED>SEC. 3. ADS-B IN REQUIREMENTS.</DELETED>
-
-<DELETED> (a) Requirement for Newly Manufactured Manned Aircraft.--
-Subject to subsection (c), not later than 2 years after the date of
-enactment of this section, the Administrator shall issue a final rule
-that has an effective date which is not later than 3 years of the date
-on which such final rule is issued to require that any newly
-manufactured aircraft (other than an unmanned aircraft as defined in
-section 44801 of title 49, United States Code) registered in the United
-States shall be equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-
-Broadcast In (referred to in this section as ``ADS-B In'').</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (b) ADS-B In Required in Designated Airspace.--</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (1) In general.--Subject to subsection (c), not
-later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section,
-the Administrator shall issue a final rule that has an
-effective date which is not later than 3 years of the date on
-which such final rule is issued to require that any aircraft
-(other than an unmanned aircraft as defined in section 44801 of
-title 49, United States Code) manufactured as of the date of
-enactment of this section that is required to be equipped with
-ADS-B Out when operating in an airspace described in section
-91.225(d) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, shall also
-be required to install and operate ADS-B In.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (2) Considerations.--</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (A) Additional time.--In conducting the
-rulemaking under paragraph (1), the Administrator may
-consider whether any aircraft described in paragraph
-(1) would require additional time, not to exceed an
-additional 2 years after the effective date described
-in paragraph (1), to implement such
-requirement.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (B) Notification to congress.--If the
-Administrator determines there is a need to provide
-additional time as described in subparagraph (A), the
-Administrator shall--</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (i) notify Congress not later than
-14 days after making such determination;
-and</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (ii) include a justification for
-such determination, as well as the date on
-which full compliance is expected.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (3) Special determination.--For purposes of
-meeting the requirements of paragraph (1), the Administrator
-shall determine whether the use of a non-Technical Standard
-Order receiver is permissible for aircraft with a maximum
-certificated takeoff weight of fewer than 12,500
-pounds.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (c) Exception.--The requirements of subsections (a) and
-(b) shall not apply to any aircraft described in section 91.225(e) of
-title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, including balloons and gliders
-not certified with an electrical system.</DELETED>
-
-<DELETED>SEC. 4. STUDY ON DYNAMIC RESTRICTED AREA.</DELETED>
-
-<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
-enactment of this section, the Administrator shall initiate a study on
-the feasibility, costs, and benefits of establishing a dynamic
-restricted area for rotorcraft and powered-lift (as such terms are
-defined in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (as in
-effect on the date of enactment of this section)) over the Potomac
-River to the north, south, and east of DCA. Such study's final report
-shall be--</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (1) completed not later than 2 years after the
-date of enactment of this section; and</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (2) submitted to the Committee on Commerce,
-Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
-Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
-Representatives.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (b) Considerations.--In conducting the study required
-under subsection (a), the Administrator shall review, but is not
-limited to--</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (1) terrestrial and aircraft-based technology or
-equipment improvements required to operationalize a dynamic
-restricted area inside the FRZ and in proximity to
-DCA;</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (2) the training requirements to enable the use of
-an automated visual warning system in a way that functions as a
-traffic signal that is similar to the system deployed in the
-FRZ, as of the date of enactment of this section, to warn
-aircraft that they are entering a dynamic restricted airspace
-that is active or inactive;</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (3) the ways in which the dynamic restricted area
-can be depicted on various paper and electronic aeronautical
-charts and other navigational materials;</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (4) the feasibility of using automated audio
-sounds to indicate active or inactive restricted area,
-including a continuous tone being generated on a certain
-aviation VHF and UHF radio communication and VOR and TACAN
-frequencies that are modulated in tone frequency and tone
-length (such as Instrument Landing System marker sounds) such
-that they are received by existing aviation VHF or UHF radio
-communications transceivers and an automated visual warning
-system deployed in the FRZ;</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (5) the potential and mitigation steps for pilot
-and air traffic controller distraction;</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (6) procedures to allow air traffic controllers to
-override any automatic function of the system for manual
-control;</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (7) the creation of an indication or other signal
-in the air traffic control tower at DCA and the Potomac
-Terminal Radar Approach Control Facility (``TRACON'') to
-communicate the status of whether the dynamic restricted area
-is active or inactive;</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (8) the creation of methods to anticipate fixed
-wing aircraft taking off from DCA so to provide sufficient
-warning to rotorcraft and powered-lift aircraft of the imminent
-activation of the dynamic restricted area; and</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (9) any other matters determined appropriate by
-the Administrator.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (c) Briefing.--Not later than 30 days after completing the
-study required by subsection (a), the Administrator shall brief the
-Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and
-the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
-Representatives on the results of the study.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (d) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (1) DCA.--The term ``DCA'' means Ronald Reagan
-Washington National Airport.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (2) Dynamic restricted area.--The term ``dynamic
-restricted area'' means an area of restriction placed on
-specific areas of airspace, which is contemplated to be an area
-over the Potomac River that is 4 miles north, south, and east
-of DCA, to prevent the transit of rotorcraft and powered lift
-aircraft that activates independently from air traffic
-controller action and automatically by computer action based on
-criteria that uses position, altitude, and velocity data from
-fixed wing aircraft.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (3) FRZ.--The term ``FRZ'' means the Washington,
-DC Metropolitan Area Flight Restricted Zone, as defined by
-section 93.335 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (as in
-effect on the date of enactment of this Act).</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (4) TACAN.--The term ``TACAN'' means tactical air
-navigation pursuant to Appendix 3 Abbreviation/Acronyms of the
-Aeronautical Information Manual.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (5) UHF.--The term ``UHF'' means ultra high
-frequency pursuant to Appendix 3 Abbreviation/Acronyms of the
-Aeronautical Information Manual.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (6) VHF.--The term ``VHF'' means very high
-frequency pursuant to Appendix 3 Abbreviation/Acronyms of the
-Aeronautical Information Manual.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (7) VOR.--The term ``VOR'' means VHF
-Omnidirectional Range pursuant to Appendix 3 Abbreviation/
-Acronyms of the Aeronautical Information Manual.</DELETED>
-
-<DELETED>SEC. 5. INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE ARMY AUDIT.</DELETED>
-
-<DELETED> (a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
-enactment of this section, the Inspector General of the Army shall
-initiate an audit to evaluate the Army's coordination with the Federal
-Aviation Administration, pilot training, and qualification standards,
-and the Army's use of ADS-B Out and whether it adheres to Army policy,
-regulation, and law.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (b) Assessment.--In conducting the audit required by
-subsection (a), the Inspector General of the Army shall assess
-practices and recommendations for the Army, including--</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (1) whether Army policy and United States law was
-adhered to, and the Army's coordination with the Federal
-Aviation Administration, during National Capitol Region (in
-this subsection referred to as the ``NCR'') operations of pilot
-training and qualifications standards in the NCR;</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (2) the Army's policy on ADS-B Out equipage,
-usage, and activation;</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (3) maintenance protocols for UH-60 Black Hawk
-helicopters operated by the 12th Army Aviation Brigade
-including, but not limited to, the calibration of any system
-that transmits altitude and position information outside the
-aircraft and the calibration of systems that sends altitude and
-position information to the pilots inside the
-aircraft;</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (4) compliance with the September 29, 2021, Letter
-of Agreement executed between the Pentagon Heliport Air Traffic
-Control Tower and the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
-Air Traffic Control Tower regarding flight operations in the
-NCR; and</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (5) the Army's review of loss of separation
-incidents involving its rotorcraft in the NCR along with
-possible mitigations to prevent future mishaps.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (c) Public Disclosure.--Not later than 14 days after the
-audit required by subsection (a) is concluded, the Secretary of the
-Army shall--</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (1) transmit a report on the results of the audit,
-without redactions, to the Committee on the Committee on
-Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on
-Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on
-Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Armed
-Services of the House of Representatives; and</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (2) publicly release the report without
-redactions, except to the extent required for national security
-reasons.</DELETED>
-
-<DELETED>SEC. 6. REVIEW OF ROTORCRAFT TRAFFIC SURROUNDING COMMERCIAL
-SERVICE AIRPORTS.</DELETED>
-
-<DELETED> (a) Review.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
-enactment of this section, the Administrator shall initiate a review of
-all currently charted helicopter routes where flight paths of fixed-
-wing aircraft and rotorcraft (as defined in section 1.1 of such title
-14) may not provide sufficient separation, as determined by the
-Administrator.</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (b) Modification of Flight Routes.--Based on the results
-of the review conducted under subsection (a), the Administrator shall
-evaluate and modify flight routes, as necessary, to improve separation
-between fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft (as so defined).</DELETED>
-<DELETED> (c) Briefing.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
-enactment of this section, the Administrator shall brief the Committee
-on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
-Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
-Representatives on the results of the review conducted under subsection
-(a) and any modifications to flight routes made under subsection
-(b).</DELETED>
-
-<DELETED>SEC. 7. REPEAL OF PROVISION REGARDING ADS-B EQUIPMENT ON
-CERTAIN AIRCRAFT OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.</DELETED>
-
-<DELETED> Section 1046 of the John S. McCain National Defense
-Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is
-repealed.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
@@ -422,12 +98,32 @@
SEC. 3. REVISION TO EXCEPTION FOR ADS-B OUT TRANSMISSION.
(a) ADS-B Out Reforms.--
-(1) In general.--Beginning on the date of enactment of this
-section, in applying section 91.225(f)(1) of title 14, Code of
-Federal Regulations, the term ``sensitive government mission''
-shall be narrowly construed and shall not include training
-flights, proficiency flights, or flights of Federal officials
-below the rank of Cabinet Member.
+(1) In general.--
+(A) Sensitive government mission.--Beginning on the
+date of enactment of this section, in applying section
+91.225(f)(1) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations,
+the term ``sensitive government mission'' shall be
+narrowly construed and shall not include routine
+flights, non-classified flights, proficiency flights,
+or flights of Federal officials below the rank of
+Cabinet Member or the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
+Staff.
+(B) Notification.--For the purposes of interpreting
+section 91.225(f)(1) of title 14, Code of Federal
+Regulations, the operating agency shall--
+(i) when operating a sensitive government
+mission during which the aircraft will not be
+transmitting ADS-B Out, notify Air Traffic
+Control; and
+(ii) notify the Committee on Commerce,
+Science, and Transportation and the Committee
+on the Armed Services of the Senate and the
+Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
+and the Committee on the Armed Services of the
+House of Representatives on a monthly basis
+regarding each sensitive government mission
+within Class B airspace operated during such
+month.
(2) Rulemaking and administrative action.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the Administrator
@@ -439,7 +135,11 @@
(ii) revise any memorandum of agreement
between the FAA and any other Federal, State,
local, or Tribal agency to conform with the
-revised regulations described in clause (i).
+revised regulations described in clause (i),
+including any agreement pursuant to section
+1046 of the John S. McCain National Defense
+Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (49
+U.S.C. 40101 note).
(B) Report.--If the Administrator fails to issue or
revise regulations pursuant to subparagraph (A) or
revise any memorandum of agreement between the FAA and
@@ -492,13 +192,15 @@
submit to the Administrator a report that includes--
(A) an attestation that such operations are
regularly transmitting ADS-B Out and are conducted with
-proper consideration to aviation safety; and
+proper consideration to aviation safety;
(B) a list of operations delineated by flight in
which the ADS-B Out equipment is not in transmit mode
because the aircraft was performing a sensitive
government mission, including the airport, airspace
location, date, time, duration, and mission type of
-each such operation.
+each such operation; and
+(C) with respect to any classified operation, a
+classified annex.
(2) To congress.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this section, and biannually
@@ -600,12 +302,14 @@
(B) Alternative equipment or technology.--With
respect to aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff
weight of less than 12,500 pounds when operating under
-part 91 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, the
-Administrator shall establish performance requirements
-for alternative equipment or technology that the
-Administrator determines acceptable in satisfying the
-ADS-B In requirement. The performance requirements
-shall, at a minimum--
+part 91 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, and
+qualifying military aircraft as specified by the
+Administrator in consultation with the Secretary of
+Defense, the Administrator shall establish performance
+requirements for alternative equipment or technology
+that the Administrator determines acceptable in
+satisfying the ADS-B In requirement. The performance
+requirements shall, at a minimum--
(i) provide similar or improved situational
awareness to the location of other airborne
traffic, as well as traffic advisory
@@ -617,7 +321,16 @@
installation or use of such equipment does not
adversely affect other required avionics or the
airworthiness of the aircraft.
-(C) Guidance.--The Administrator shall issue
+(C) Required briefing.--The Administrator shall
+brief the appropriate committees of Congress, the
+Committee on Armed Services of the Senate, and the
+Committee on Armed Services of the House of
+Representatives, on at least a monthly basis, regarding
+the alternative equipment or technology for qualifying
+military aircraft prior to determining that such
+equipment or technology is acceptable to satisfy the
+ADS-B In requirement.
+(D) Guidance.--The Administrator shall issue
relevant guidance for aircraft operators and other
appropriate stakeholders regarding the types of
equipment that satisfy the performance requirements
@@ -684,6 +397,13 @@
FAA; and
(v) any other representatives determined
appropriate by the Administrator.
+(C) Required consultation.--In establishing a
+committee under this subsection, the Administrator--
+(i) shall consult with the Secretary of
+Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security;
+and
+(ii) may consult with other Federal
+agencies as appropriate.
(2) Requirements.--If the Administrator elects to establish
a committee under this subsection, the Administrator shall do
the following:
@@ -953,7 +673,14 @@
including a justification for any recommendations the
Administrator determines should not be implemented.
-SEC. 5. INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE ARMY AUDIT.
+SEC. 5. REPEAL OF MANNED ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT SAFETY PROVISIONS.
+
+Section 373(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal
+Year 2026 is repealed, and Chapter 157 of title 10, United States Code,
+shall be applied as if the amendments made by such section had not been
+enacted.
+
+SEC. 6. INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE ARMY AUDIT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment
of this section, the Inspector General of the Army shall initiate an
@@ -1001,7 +728,7 @@
brief the committees of Congress described in subsection (c)(1)
regarding the progress of such audit.
-SEC. 6. SAFETY REVIEWS OF AIRSPACE.
+SEC. 7. SAFETY REVIEWS OF AIRSPACE.
(a) FAA-DOD Coordination.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish or
@@ -1219,13 +946,18 @@
staffing to conduct the safety reviews within the deadlines
specified in this section.
-SEC. 7. FAA-DOD SAFETY INFORMATION SHARING.
+SEC. 8. FAA-DOD SAFETY INFORMATION SHARING.
(a) MOU With the Department of the Army.--Not later than 60 days
after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Secretary of the Army
to permit, as appropriate, the sharing of information from the Army's
-Safety Management Information System with the FAA to facilitate
+Safety Management Information System with the FAA, as well as the
+sharing of information from the FAA's Aviation Safety Information
+Analysis and Sharing System, Operational Analysis Reporting System,
+Safety Trend Analytics Dashboard, Aviation Risk Identification and
+Assessment Program, Comprehensive Electronic Data Analysis and
+Reporting Tool, and Falcon tool with the Army, to facilitate
communications and analysis of any applicable impacts to the safety and
efficiency of civil aviation operations and to mitigate risk in the
national airspace system.
@@ -1248,13 +980,36 @@
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Armed Services
of the House of Representatives.
-SEC. 8. REPEAL OF PROVISION REGARDING ADS-B EQUIPMENT ON CERTAIN
-AIRCRAFT OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.
-
-Section 1046 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization
-Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is repealed.
-Calendar No. 269
-
+SEC. 9. TREATMENT OF MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN DEPARTMENT OF
+DEFENSE AND FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION.
+
+(a) In General.--For purposes of subsection (b) of section 1046 of
+the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year
+2019 (Public Law 115-232; 49 U.S.C. 40101 note), the Memorandum of
+Agreement Between the Department of Defense and the FAA entered into on
+May 10, 2024, is deemed to be notice jointly submitted to the
+appropriate congressional committees for purposes of such subsection
+and subsection (a) of such section shall cease to be effective as of
+such date.
+(b) Update and Effect of Memorandum of Agreement.--
+(1) Update.--The Secretary of Transportation and the
+Secretary of Defense shall update the memorandum of
+understanding described in subsection (a) consistent with
+regulations issued by the Administrator of the Federal Aviation
+Administration pursuant to section 3(a)(2).
+(2) Effect of memorandum of agreement.--The memorandum of
+agreement described in subsection (a) shall remain in force
+subject to--
+(A) any modifications made jointly by the Secretary
+of Transportation and the Secretary of Defense;
+(B) termination by either such Secretary; or
+(C) modification or termination by law.
+
+Passed the Senate December 17, 2025.
+
+Attest:
+
+Secretary.
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
@@ -1263,14 +1018,8 @@
_______________________________________________________________________
-A BILL
+AN ACT
To require all aircraft to be equipped with Automatic Dependent
Surveillance-Broadcast In, to improve aviation safety, and for other
purposes.
-
-_______________________________________________________________________
-
-November 18, 2025
-
-Reported with an amendment
Lobbying activity
Organizations whose LDA filings reference this bill, ranked by filing count. Position not disclosed — LDA does not require lobbyists to report support / oppose / monitor. Bill-number references can be stale (lobbyists sometimes copy text year-over-year), so verify against the filing description.
5
filings · 2026 Q3
5
filings · 2026 Q3
4
filings · 2026 Q3
3
filings · 2026 Q3
BOEING COMPANY
AVI
3
filings · 2026 Q3
3
filings · 2026 Q3
3
filings · 2026 Q3
3
filings · 2026 Q3
3
filings · 2026 Q3
3
filings · 2026 Q3
via Senate LDA · self-reported quarterly. Filing count = filings mentioning this bill (no position required), not money spent on it. Click a client to see all bills they've filed on.
Cosponsors (21)
Members who signed on to support this bill.