[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2503 Reported in Senate (RS)]

<DOC>





                                                       Calendar No. 269
119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 2503

    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.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Rotorcraft Operations Transparency 
and Oversight Reform Act'' or the ``ROTOR Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
            (2) ADS-B in.--The term ``ADS-B In'' means onboard avionics 
        equipment that receives and processes Automatic Dependent 
        Surveillance-Broadcast transmissions that are broadcast in 
        accordance with sections 91.225 and 91.227 of title 14, Code of 
        Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations), and other 
        aviation advisory information from ground stations, that 
        provides the aircraft with awareness to the location of other 
        aircraft and traffic advisories.
            (3) ADS-B out.--The term ``ADS-B Out''--
                    (A) has the meaning given such term in section 
                91.227 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and
                    (B) broadcasts information from the aircraft in 
                accordance with sections 91.225 and 91.227 of such 
                title 14 (or any successor regulations).
            (4) Affected aircraft.--The term ``affected aircraft'' 
        means any aircraft that is required to operate in accordance 
        with section 91.225 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
        or any successor regulation.
            (5) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
        ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on 
        Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
        Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives.
            (6) Cabinet member.--The term ``Cabinet Member'' means an 
        individual who is the head (including an acting head) of the 
        Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the 
        Department of Defense, the Department of Education, the 
        Department of Energy, the Department of Health and Human 
        Services, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department 
        of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of the 
        Interior, the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, 
        the Department of State, the Department of Transportation, the 
        Department of the Treasury, or the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs, or any other individual who occupies a position 
        designated by the President as a Cabinet-level position.
            (7) FAA.--The term ``FAA'' means the Federal Aviation 
        Administration.
            (8) National capital region; ncr.--The terms ``National 
        Capital Region'' and ``NCR'' mean the geographic area located 
        within the boundaries of--
                    (A) the District of Columbia;
                    (B) Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties in the 
                State of Maryland;
                    (C) Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William 
                Counties and the City of Alexandria in the Commonwealth 
                of Virginia; and
                    (D) all cities and other units of government within 
                the geographic areas described in subparagraphs (A) 
                through (C).
            (9) Powered-lift.--The term ``powered-lift''--
                    (A) has the meaning given such term in section 1.1 
                of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any 
                successor regulation); and
                    (B) includes vertical-lift flight mode and wing-
                borne flight mode, as such terms are defined in section 
                194.103 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or 
                any successor regulation).
            (10) Rotorcraft.--The term ``rotorcraft'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations (or any successor regulation).
            (11) Transport airplane.--The term ``transport airplane'' 
        has the meaning given such term in section 44741(i) of title 
        49, United States Code.
            (12) Unmanned aircraft system.--The term ``unmanned 
        aircraft system'' has the meaning given such term in section 
        44801 of title 49, United States Code.

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.
            (2) Rulemaking and administrative action.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
                date of enactment of this section, the Administrator 
                shall--
                            (i) issue or revise regulations to update 
                        section 91.225(f) of title 14, Code of Federal 
                        Regulations, to comply with the requirements of 
                        this section; and
                            (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).
                    (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 
                any other agency pursuant to such subparagraph, the 
                Administrator shall, within 30 days, submit to the 
                appropriate committees of Congress a report on the 
                status of such regulations, including the reasons that 
                the Administrator has failed to issue or revise such 
                regulations within the period required under such 
                subparagraph.
    (b) GAO Review and Report.--Not later than the date that is 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this section, the Comptroller General of 
the United States shall--
            (1) review the utilization of exceptions under section 
        91.225(f) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any 
        successor regulation), as revised under subsection (a), to 
        determine--
                    (A) whether the Department of Defense and other 
                relevant Federal agencies or other applicable operators 
                have utilized such exceptions in accordance with 
                relevant laws and regulations; and
                    (B) the extent of such utilization;
            (2) compare the utilization of exceptions specified in such 
        section 91.225(f) before and after the issuance of revised 
        regulations under subsection (a); and
            (3) submit to the Administrator and the appropriate 
        committees of Congress a report on the findings of the review 
        conducted under paragraph (1) and the comparison conducted 
        under paragraph (2).
    (c) FAA Review of Non-compliant Operators.--Upon submission of the 
report under subsection (b)(3), the Administrator shall--
            (1) determine whether any Federal agency or other 
        applicable operator that has been found to have not utilized 
        the exceptions under section 91.225(f) of title 14, Code of 
        Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation), as revised 
        under subsection (a), in accordance with relevant laws and 
        regulations shall be permitted to continue to utilize such 
        exceptions; and
            (2) not later than 30 days after the date on which the 
        Comptroller General submits the report under subsection (b)(3), 
        brief the appropriate committees of Congress on such 
        determination.
    (d) Reports.--
            (1) To the administrator.--Not later than 90 days after the 
        date of enactment of this section, and on a quarterly basis 
        thereafter, each Federal, State, local, and Tribal agency that 
        performs sensitive government missions as described in section 
        91.225(f)(1) of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any 
        successor regulation), as revised under subsection (a), shall 
        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
                    (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.
            (2) To congress.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
                date of enactment of this section, and biannually 
                thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the 
                appropriate committees of Congress 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 (or any successor regulation), as revised 
                under subsection (a). Such report--
                            (i) shall include--
                                    (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
                                    (II) a determination from the 
                                Administrator as to whether each 
                                operation described in paragraph (1)(B) 
                                jeopardizes aviation safety; and
                            (ii) may include a classified annex.
                    (B) Special notification.--If an agency described 
                in paragraph (1) operates a flight using an exception 
                granted under section 91.225(f)(1) of title 14, Code of 
                Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation), as 
                revised under subsection (a), 5 or more times in a 
                calendar month, or fails to provide to the 
                Administrator the attestation required under paragraph 
                (1)(A), the Administrator shall notify the appropriate 
                committees of Congress of such use within 14 days of 
                being notified of such use. For the purposes of this 
                subparagraph, a flight shall be interpreted as the 
                period beginning when an aircraft moves under its own 
                power for the purpose of flight and ending when the 
                aircraft lands.
    (e) Annual Inspector General Audits.--
            (1) In general.--Beginning on the date that is 3 years 
        after the date of enactment of this section, the Inspector 
        General of the Department of Transportation (in this section 
        referred to as the ``Inspector General'') shall conduct an 
        annual audit of FAA oversight of all operations that utilize an 
        exception under section 91.225(f) of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations (or any successor regulation), as revised under 
        subsection (a), including Federal agency operations.
            (2) Considerations.--In conducting an audit under paragraph 
        (1), the Inspector General shall assess the efficacy of FAA 
        oversight related to the following:
                    (A) Ensuring exceptions under such section 
                91.225(f)(1) (or any successor regulation) are strictly 
                utilized by operators in accordance with relevant laws 
                and regulations.
                    (B) Ensuring exceptions under such section 
                91.225(f)(1) (or any successor regulation) are not 
                routinely used by operators.
                    (C) Identifying and engaging with any operator not 
                in compliance with relevant laws and regulations 
                relating to exceptions under such section 91.225(f)(1) 
                (or any successor regulation).
                    (D) Any other factor determined appropriate by the 
                Inspector General.
            (3) Briefings to congress.--The Inspector General shall 
        brief the appropriate committees of Congress on an annual basis 
        after the completion of each annual audit.

SEC. 4. ADS-B IN REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) Requirement for ADS-B In Operation.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this section, the Administrator shall issue a 
        final rule in accordance with section 553 of title 5, United 
        States Code, to require any person operating an aircraft (other 
        than an unmanned aircraft, as defined in section 44801 of title 
        49, United States Code) required to be equipped with ADS-B Out 
        in accordance with section 91.225 of title 14, Code of Federal 
        Regulations (or any successor regulation), to be equipped with 
        and operating with ADS-B In equipment that provides the 
        aircraft with awareness to the location of other aircraft and 
        traffic advisories, unless otherwise authorized by air traffic 
        control.
            (2) Compliance deadlines.--In issuing a final rule under 
        paragraph (1), the Administrator shall--
                    (A) include an effective date of not later than 60 
                days after the date on which such final rule is 
                published in the Federal Register; and
                    (B) require aircraft described in paragraph (1) to 
                be equipped with ADS-B In not later than December 31, 
                2031.
            (3) Final regulation requirements.--In issuing a final rule 
        under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall, at a minimum, do 
        the following:
                    (A) Performance standards.--The Administrator shall 
                establish appropriate performance requirements for ADS-
                B In equipment to provide integrated safety-enhancing 
                capabilities for a pilot or other flight crew, 
                including by increasing situational awareness to the 
                location of other aircraft and providing traffic 
                advisories with alerting sufficient to provide traffic 
                advisory indications while airborne and on the airport 
                surface, such as visual and aural advisories.
                    (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--
                            (i) provide similar or improved situational 
                        awareness to the location of other airborne 
                        traffic, as well as traffic advisory 
                        information; and
                            (ii) leverage the use of portable ADS-B In 
                        receivers or equipment that allow display on an 
                        existing or future electronic flight bag or 
                        panel mounted display, provided that the 
                        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 
                relevant guidance for aircraft operators and other 
                appropriate stakeholders regarding the types of 
                equipment that satisfy the performance requirements 
                described in this paragraph.
            (4) Other requirements.--In issuing a final rule under 
        paragraph (1), the Administrator shall include--
                    (A) requirements for ADS-B In equipment and the use 
                of such equipment;
                    (B) technical assistance to facilitating ADS-B In 
                equipage across the entire fleet of affected aircraft, 
                including, as appropriate, guidance under part 26 of 
                title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to provide 
                support for affected transport airplane operators in 
                complying with the requirements of this section;
                    (C) any other associated guidance necessary to 
                assist operators and other stakeholders in identifying 
                equipment that satisfies the ADS-B In performance 
                standards described in paragraph (3) prior to the 
                compliance deadline described in paragraph (2)(B);
                    (D) a determination of alternative equipment or 
                technology described in subsection (e); and
                    (E) a presumption, absent clear and compelling 
                evidence to the contrary, that ADS-B In equipment is 
                cost beneficial and improves aviation safety.
            (5) Congressional briefings.--Not later than 180 days after 
        the date of enactment of this section, and every 90 days 
        thereafter, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate 
        committees of Congress, as well as publish a publicly available 
        report, on the status of--
                    (A) the ADS-B In rulemaking required under 
                paragraph (1); and
                    (B) after the compliance deadline described in 
                paragraph (2)(A), the implementation and oversight of 
                such ADS-B In requirement.
    (b) Negotiated Rulemaking Committee.--
            (1) Committee.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the 
                date of enactment of this section, the Administrator 
                may establish a negotiated rulemaking committee (in 
                this section referred to as the ``committee'') pursuant 
                to section 565 of title 5, United States Code, to 
                negotiate proposed regulations to implement the 
                requirements described in subsection (a).
                    (B) Membership.--If the Administrator elects to 
                establish a committee under this subsection, the 
                committee shall be composed of--
                            (i) representatives of--
                                    (I) the FAA;
                                    (II) air carriers;
                                    (III) avionics manufacturers;
                                    (IV) aircraft manufacturers; and
                                    (V) general aviation organizations;
                            (ii) the exclusive bargaining 
                        representative of air traffic controllers of 
                        the FAA certified under section 7511 of title 
                        5, United States Code;
                            (iii) organizations representing certified 
                        collective bargaining representatives of 
                        airline pilots, including the principal 
                        organization representing the largest certified 
                        collective bargaining representative of airline 
                        pilots;
                            (iv) aviation safety experts outside of the 
                        FAA; and
                            (v) any other representatives determined 
                        appropriate by the Administrator.
            (2) Requirements.--If the Administrator elects to establish 
        a committee under this subsection, the Administrator shall do 
        the following:
                    (A) In general.--The Administrator shall direct the 
                committee to make recommendations relating to--
                            (i) ADS-B In equipment and its use;
                            (ii) ADS-B In equipment performance 
                        standards pursuant to subsection (a)(3);
                            (iii) the consideration of effective 
                        approaches to facilitating ADS-B In equipage 
                        across the entire fleet of affected aircraft, 
                        including requirements under part 26 of title 
                        14, Code of Federal Regulations, to provide 
                        support for affected transport category 
                        airplane operators in complying with the 
                        requirements of this section; and
                            (iv) 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, a 
                        recommendation for low cost alternative 
                        equipment or technology in accordance with 
                        subsection (e).
                    (B) Lack of committee consensus.--In the event the 
                committee does not reach a consensus regarding a 
                recommendation for low cost alternative equipment or 
                technology under subparagraph (A)(iv), the 
                Administrator shall, after the submission of the 
                committee under paragraph (3), consider prescribing a 
                low cost alternative that includes the criteria 
                described in subsection (e).
            (3) Submission to the administrator.--If the Administrator 
        elects to establish a committee under this subsection, not 
        later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, 
        the committee shall submit to the Administrator--
                    (A) a consensus proposal of regulations to 
                implement the requirement described in subsection 
                (a)(1); or
                    (B) in the event the committee does not reach a 
                consensus, a report identifying any points of agreement 
                and disagreement with respect to such proposed 
                regulations.
            (4) Proposed rule.--If the Administrator elects to 
        establish a committee under this subsection, not later than 180 
        days after receiving the submission of the committee under 
        paragraph (3), the Administrator shall issue a proposed rule, 
        in accordance with section 553 of title 5, United States Code, 
        that either--
                    (A) to the maximum extent possible consistent with 
                the legal obligations of the FAA, uses the consensus 
                proposal of the committee under paragraph (3)(A) as the 
                basis for the proposed rule for notice and comment, 
                including with respect to any standards or requirements 
                described in subsection (a)(3); or
                    (B) in the event the committee does not reach a 
                consensus, considers the points of agreement and 
                disagreement submitted by the committee under paragraph 
                (3)(B).
    (c) Consultation Required Without Negotiated Rulemaking 
Committee.--If the Administrator does not establish a committee under 
subsection (b), prior to issuing a final rule, the Administrator shall 
consult with appropriate stakeholders in conducting the rulemaking 
required under subsection (a)(1), including at a minimum the 
representatives described in subsection (b)(1)(B).
    (d) Phased-in Retrofit.--
            (1) In general.--In issuing a final rule under subsection 
        (a)(1), the Administrator shall--
                    (A) establish a process by which the operator of an 
                affected aircraft, in service as of the date on which 
                the final rule under subsection (a)(1) is published in 
                the Federal Register in accordance with subsection 
                (a)(2)(A), may apply to the Administrator to request 
                additional time, not to exceed a period of 1 year after 
                the deadline described in subsection (a)(2)(B), to 
                finalize equipage of its fleet and make ADS-B In 
                operational, provided that--
                            (i) an aircraft operator, owner, or their 
                        agent submits an application deemed acceptable 
                        to the Administrator for additional time for 
                        compliance, including a justification for such 
                        request and an attestation of actions to date 
                        demonstrating progress toward achieving 
                        compliance;
                            (ii) the Administrator, in consultation 
                        with the Secretary of Transportation, 
                        determines additional time is required to 
                        mitigate a significant disruption to air 
                        transportation; and
                            (iii) the Administrator determines the 
                        aircraft operator or owner does not have any 
                        uncorrected violations of subchapters F and G 
                        of chapter I of title 14, Code of Federal 
                        Regulations; and
                    (B) notify the appropriate committees of Congress 
                not later than 14 days after making a determination 
                under clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (A).
            (2) Special rule for agents.--With the exception of an 
        agent representing an owner or operator of transport airplanes, 
        for the purposes of this subsection, an agent may represent 
        more than 1 aircraft operator or owner of the same type, model, 
        or manufacturer and may submit 1 or more applications under 
        paragraph (1)(A)(i), each of which may contain multiple 
        aircraft operators or owners.
    (e) Low Cost Alternative Method of Compliance.--In issuing a final 
rule under subsection (a)(1), the Administrator shall determine low 
cost equipment or technologies that provide similar or improved 
situational awareness to the location of other airborne traffic, as 
well as traffic advisory information, that satisfy the ADS-B In 
equipage requirement for aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff 
weight of less than 12,500 pounds when operated under part 91 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations. In making such a determination, the 
Administrator shall consider the use of--
            (1) portable ADS-B In receivers; and
            (2) equipment that allows display on an existing or future 
        electronic flight bag or panel mounted display, provided the 
        installation or use does not adversely affect other required 
        avionics or the airworthiness of the aircraft.
    (f) Proactive Equipage.--With respect to any aircraft for which 
ADS-B In equipment is available and complies with the requirements of 
the final rule issued under subsection (a)(1), the operator of any such 
aircraft shall take all appropriate actions necessary to equip such 
aircraft with ADS-B In prior to the compliance deadline described in 
subsection (a)(2).
    (g) Separation Standards; Relevant Controller Training.--
            (1) Rulemaking.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the 
                effective date of the final rule described in 
                subsection (a), the Administrator shall issue a notice 
                of proposed rulemaking to establish separation 
                standards, as appropriate, that leverage ADS-B Out or 
                ADS-B In equipment, and all other available 
                technological capabilities in the air traffic control 
                system, to achieve safety and efficiency benefits 
                throughout the national airspace system, including on 
                an airport surface and within Class E airspace (as 
                defined in section 71.71 of title 14, Code of Federal 
                Regulations, or any successor regulation).
                    (B) Consultation.--In conducting the rulemaking 
                under this subsection, the Administrator shall consult 
                with appropriate stakeholders, including, at a 
                minimum--
                            (i) representatives of--
                                    (I) air carriers;
                                    (II) original equipment 
                                manufacturers; and
                                    (III) general aviation 
                                organizations;
                            (ii) organizations representing certified 
                        collective bargaining representatives of 
                        airline pilots, including the principal 
                        organization representing the largest certified 
                        collective bargaining representative of airline 
                        pilots;
                            (iii) the exclusive bargaining 
                        representative of air traffic controllers of 
                        the FAA certified under section 7111 of title 
                        5, United States Code;
                            (iv) aviation safety experts from outside 
                        the FAA; and
                            (v) any other stakeholder deemed 
                        appropriate by the Administrator.
            (2) Required updates to faa orders.--Not later than 18 
        months after the issuance of the notice of proposed rulemaking 
        under paragraph (1)(A), the Administrator shall complete 
        revisions, as appropriate, to FAA Order 7110.65 and other 
        relevant FAA Orders, to increase safety and efficiency benefits 
        in the national airspace system.
            (3) Relevant controller training.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
                compliance deadline described in subsection (a)(2), the 
                Administrator shall revise initial and recurrent air 
                traffic controller training, as appropriate, in 
                accordance with FAA Orders 3000.22 and 3120.4 and 
                revise associated orders and directives, as 
                appropriate, to ensure such controllers are trained to 
                apply any new separation standards and procedures.
                    (B) Requirements.--In revising training under 
                subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall--
                            (i) consider human factors impacts, 
                        appropriate phraseology adjustments, and 
                        surface movement applications; and
                            (ii) consult with the exclusive bargaining 
                        representative of air traffic controllers of 
                        the FAA certified under section 7111 of title 
                        5, United States Code.
    (h) ACAS-X Action Plan.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this section, the Administrator shall submit to 
        the appropriate committees of Congress an action plan for 
        advancing the deployment of the Airborne Collision Avoidance 
        System-X (in this section referred to as ``ACAS-X''), or any 
        variant or successor technology, in the national airspace 
        system. The Administrator shall publish the action plan in a 
        publicly available format not later than 10 days after 
        submitting such action plan to Congress.
            (2) Contents.--In developing the action plan under 
        paragraph (1), the Administrator shall include--
                    (A) a strategic roadmap for the deployment of ACAS-
                X technology, including steps required for widespread 
                adoption among aircraft operators (including rotorcraft 
                operators);
                    (B) actions and funding necessary to complete any 
                applicable research, development, testing, evaluation, 
                and standards development needed to support the 
                certification of such technology;
                    (C) plans for engagement with appropriate 
                stakeholders, including--
                            (i) aircraft operators, including those in 
                        the Department of Defense;
                            (ii) aviation safety experts outside the 
                        FAA;
                            (iii) avionics manufacturers;
                            (iv) aircraft manufacturers;
                            (v) general aviation organizations;
                            (vi) the exclusive bargaining 
                        representative of air traffic controllers of 
                        the FAA certified under section 7511 of title 
                        5, United States Code;
                            (vii) organizations representing certified 
                        collective bargaining representatives of 
                        airline pilots, including the principal 
                        organization representing the largest certified 
                        collective bargaining representative of airline 
                        pilots; and
                            (viii) any other stakeholders determined 
                        appropriate by the Administrator;
                    (D) engagement with foreign civil aviation 
                authorities to harmonize international standards for 
                certification of such technology;
                    (E) ACAS-X interoperability considerations for 
                aircraft operators (including rotorcraft operators) 
                equipped with ADS-B Out and ADS-B In equipment;
                    (F) an assessment of safety benefits for aircraft 
                operators equipping with such technology, including 
                civil and military operators; and
                    (G) any recommendations for administrative or 
                legislative action, as determined appropriate by the 
                Administrator, to advance such technology deployment.
            (3) Implementation.--The Administrator may take actions, as 
        appropriate, to implement the action plan developed under 
        paragraph (1).
            (4) Briefing.--Not later than 30 days after the date on 
        which the Administrator submits the action plan under paragraph 
        (1), the Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees 
        of Congress on the contents of such action plan and any 
        prospective actions to implement such plan.
    (i) ARAC Tasking.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall task the Aviation 
        Rulemaking Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as 
        the ``ARAC'') with reviewing and assessing the need for 
        aircraft operating in Class D airspace to be equipped with ADS-
        B Out and ADS-B In equipment.
            (2) Report and recommendations.--Not later than 1 year 
        after initiating the review and assessment under this section, 
        the ARAC shall submit to the Administrator--
                    (A) a report on the findings of the review and 
                assessment under paragraph (1); and
                    (B) any recommendations for legislative or 
                regulatory action the ARAC determines appropriate.
            (3) Briefing.--Not later than 30 days after the date on 
        which the ARAC submits the report under paragraph (2), the 
        Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of 
        Congress on--
                    (A) the findings and recommendations included in 
                such report; and
                    (B) any plan to implement such recommendations, 
                including a justification for any recommendations the 
                Administrator determines should not be implemented.

SEC. 5. 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 
audit to evaluate the Army's coordination with the FAA, pilot training, 
and qualification standards, and the Army's use of ADS-B Out and 
whether it adheres to Army policy, regulation, and law.
    (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--
            (1) whether Army policy and United States law was adhered 
        to, and the Army's coordination with the FAA, during National 
        Capital Region (``NCR'') operations of pilot training and 
        qualifications standards in the NCR;
            (2) the Army's policy on ADS-B Out equipage, usage, and 
        activation;
            (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 send altitude and position 
        information to the pilots inside the aircraft, and the 
        frequency with which such maintenance protocols occur;
            (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
            (5) the Army's review of loss of separation incidents 
        involving its rotorcraft in the NCR along with possible 
        mitigations to prevent future mishaps.
    (c) Public Disclosure.--Not later than 14 days after the audit 
required by subsection (a) is concluded, the Secretary of the Army 
shall--
            (1) transmit a report on the results of the audit, without 
        redactions, to 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
            (2) publicly release the report without redactions, except 
        to the extent required for national security reasons.
    (d) Interim Reporting.--Not later than 180 days after initiating 
the audit required by subsection (a), and every 180 days thereafter 
until such audit is concluded, the Inspector General of the Army shall 
brief the committees of Congress described in subsection (c)(1) 
regarding the progress of such audit.

SEC. 6. 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 
designate an office within the FAA as the ``Office of FAA-DOD 
Coordination'' (in this section referred to as the ``Office''), which 
shall--
            (1) coordinate airspace usage of military aircraft and 
        rotorcraft with relevant FAA lines of business, including the 
        Air Traffic Organization;
            (2) coordinate with the Office of Audit and Evaluation of 
        the FAA to ensure employee complaints and whistleblower 
        protections are considered;
            (3) consider opportunities to improve management and 
        consolidation of aviation safety information system databases 
        to enhance civil and military aviation incident reporting; and
            (4) carry out the safety review required by subsection (b).
    (b) Safety Reviews.--
            (1) Review of ronald reagan washington national airport.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the 
                date on which the Office is established or designated, 
                the Administrator shall initiate a safety review of all 
                military, law enforcement, and civilian rotary wing, 
                powered lift, fixed wing, and unmanned aircraft system 
                flight operations and flight routes in the Washington 
                D.C. Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area, 
                including but not limited to flight operations 
                conducted by the Department of Defense, emergency 
                response providers, and air medical transport 
                operators, to evaluate any associated safety risk to 
                commercial transport airplane operations at Ronald 
                Reagan Washington National Airport.
                    (B) Consultation.--In conducting a safety review 
                under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall consult 
                with--
                            (i) the Secretary of Defense;
                            (ii) Federal, State, and local agencies;
                            (iii) law enforcement agencies;
                            (iv) emergency response providers, 
                        including air medical transport operators;
                            (v) air carriers;
                            (vi) aviation labor organizations, 
                        including, at a minimum--
                                    (I) the exclusive bargaining 
                                representative of air traffic 
                                controllers of the FAA certified under 
                                section 7511 of title 5, United States 
                                Code; and
                                    (II) organizations representing 
                                certified collective bargaining 
                                representatives of airline pilots, 
                                including the principal organization 
                                representing the largest certified 
                                collective bargaining representative of 
                                airline pilots; and
                            (vii) other stakeholders determined 
                        appropriate by the Administrator.
            (2) Other airport reviews.--
                    (A) In general.--The Administrator shall conduct 
                safety reviews of all military, law enforcement and 
                civilian rotary wing, powered lift, fixed wing, and 
                unmanned aircraft system flight operations and flight 
                routes at other Class B airports (as listed in section 
                1 of Appendix D to part 91 of title 14, Code of Federal 
                Regulations (or any successor regulation)) and within 
                the lateral boundary of Class B airspace, at commercial 
                service Class C airports (as listed in FAA Order JO 
                7400.11J (or any successor order)) and within the 
                lateral boundary of Class C airspace in the national 
                airspace system, and at Class D airports that provide 
                passenger service under part 121 of title 14, Code of 
                Federal Regulations, determined to meet the risk 
                criteria set forth in subparagraph (C), including 
                flight operations conducted by the Department of 
                Defense, emergency response providers, and air medical 
                transport operators, to evaluate any associated safety 
                risk to commercial transport airplane operations.
                    (B) Consultation.--In conducting a safety review 
                under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall consult 
                with--
                            (i) the Secretary of Defense;
                            (ii) Federal, State, local, and Tribal 
                        agencies;
                            (iii) law enforcement agencies;
                            (iv) emergency response providers;
                            (v) air carriers;
                            (vi) aviation labor organizations, 
                        including, at a minimum--
                                    (I) the exclusive bargaining 
                                representative of air traffic 
                                controllers of the FAA certified under 
                                section 7511 of title 5, United States 
                                Code; and
                                    (II) organizations representing 
                                certified collective bargaining 
                                representatives of airline pilots, 
                                including the principal organization 
                                representing the largest certified 
                                collective bargaining representative of 
                                airline pilots; and
                            (vii) other stakeholders determined 
                        appropriate by the Administrator.
                    (C) Prioritization and risk criteria.--In 
                prioritizing the safety reviews of Class B, Class C, 
                and Class D airports described in subparagraph (A) and 
                conducting the safety reviews pursuant to subparagraph 
                (A), the Administrator shall, at a minimum, consider 
                the following risk criteria:
                            (i) The type of airspace the airport is 
                        located in and the type of tower at the 
                        airport.
                            (ii) Whether the airport has radar on the 
                        field.
                            (iii) The total number of air traffic 
                        operations at the airport per calendar year, as 
                        reported in the Operations Network (OPSNET) 
                        data of the FAA, and the rate of growth 
                        measured over a 20-year period prior to the 
                        initiation of a safety review under this 
                        section.
                            (iv) The Traffic Collision Avoidance System 
                        (TCAS) resolution advisory rates at the airport 
                        compared to the number of arrivals at the 
                        airport.
                            (v) The presence of parallel runways.
                            (vi) The presence of visual flights (in 
                        this subparagraph referred to as ``VFR'') 
                        corridors in proximity to the airport.
                            (vii) The presence of a helicopter corridor 
                        in proximity to the airport or nearby 
                        helicopter operations.
                            (viii) The presence of dense VFR operations 
                        at the airport.
                            (ix) The presence of complex VFR procedures 
                        at the airport or in the adjacent airspace.
                    (D) Deadline of initiation of reviews.--The 
                Administrator shall initiate the reviews under this 
                paragraph by the following deadlines:
                            (i) Class b airports.--With respect to 
                        Class B airports, not later than 90 days after 
                        the date of enactment of this section.
                            (ii) Class c airports.--With respect to 
                        Class C airports, not later than 90 days after 
                        the initiation date of the Class B airport 
                        reviews.
                            (iii) Class d airports.--With respect to 
                        Class D airports, not later than 90 days after 
                        the initiation date of the Class C airport 
                        reviews.
            (3) Requirements.--In conducting the safety reviews 
        required by paragraphs (1) and (2), the Office shall do the 
        following:
                    (A) Analyze air traffic and airspace management.
                    (B) Evaluate the level of coordination the 
                Administrator exercises with the Secretary of Defense 
                and the heads of any other Federal agencies, and 
                emergency response providers as appropriate, to inform 
                the designation and approval of airspace use and flight 
                routes for non-transport airplane operations.
                    (C) Assess any risks posed to transport airplanes 
                from military aircraft and rotorcraft, civil 
                rotorcraft, powered lift aircraft, and unmanned 
                aircraft systems operating in Class B, Class C, or 
                Class D airspace in proximity to Class B, Class C, or 
                Class D airports.
                    (D) Review relevant incidents submitted to the 
                Administrator through Air Traffic Mandatory Occurrence 
                reports (as documented via FAA Form 7210-13), Aviation 
                Safety Reporting System reports, and Aviation Safety 
                Action Program reports, and relevant reports submitted 
                to the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and 
                Space Administration through the Aviation Safety 
                Reporting System, to identify any safety trends 
                regarding the operation of military aircraft and 
                rotorcraft, civil rotorcraft, powered lift aircraft, 
                and unmanned aircraft systems in Class B, Class C, or 
                Class D airspace near Class B, Class C, or Class D 
                airports.
            (4) Deadlines for completion of safety reviews.--
                    (A) Ronald reagan washington national airport.--The 
                Administrator shall complete the safety review required 
                by paragraph (1) not later than 120 days after the date 
                on which such review is initiated.
                    (B) Other airports.--The Administrator shall 
                complete a safety review required by paragraph (2) not 
                later than 180 days after such review is initiated.
            (5) Reports.--
                    (A) Review of ronald reagan washington national 
                airport.--Not later than 60 days after completing the 
                safety review required by paragraph (1), the 
                Administrator shall submit to the appropriate 
                committees of Congress a report detailing the analyses 
                and results of such review, together with relevant 
                findings and recommendations, including any corrective 
                action plans to address any risks identified, and 
                recommendations for legislative or administrative 
                action determined appropriate by the Administrator.
                    (B) Other airport reviews.--Not later than 6 months 
                after the date of enactment of this section, and every 
                6 months thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to 
                the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
                detailing the analyses and results of the safety 
                reviews completed pursuant to paragraph (2) since the 
                preceding report under this subparagraph (or, in the 
                case of the first such report, since such date of 
                enactment), together with relevant findings and 
                recommendations, including any corrective action plans 
                to address any risks identified, and recommendations 
                for legislative or administrative actions determined 
                appropriate by the Administrator.
            (6) Designation.--The Administrator shall designate a 
        person within the Senior Executive Service of the FAA to be 
        directly responsible for the completion of the requirements of 
        this subsection.
            (7) Staffing.--The Administrator shall ensure adequate 
        staffing to conduct the safety reviews within the deadlines 
        specified in this section.

SEC. 7. 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 
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.
    (b) Other DOD MOUs.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall enter into a 
Memorandum of Understanding with the following military departments to 
permit, as appropriate, the sharing of information from applicable 
aviation safety information systems 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:
            (1) The Department of the Navy.
            (2) The Department of the Air Force.
            (3) The Coast Guard.
    (c) Congressional Notification.--Not later than 7 days after the 
date on which the Administrator enters into any Memorandum of 
Understanding under subsection (a) or (b), the Administrator shall 
notify 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.

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

119th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                                S. 2503

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

    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