H.R. 7613

ALERT Act

Sponsor: Sam Graves

87 cosponsors
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Official summary

Written by the Congressional Research Service.

Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency Act of 2026 or the ALERT 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) among aircraft and air traffic control (ATC).

The bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to enter into an agreement regarding the use of collision prevention technologies on DOD aircraft. The agreement must require the use of ADS-B Out as the default practice for DOD helicopters operating in the national airspace, unless such use would affect operational security. For DOD helicopters that are carrying out special missions in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area and are exempt from ADS-B Out transmission requirements, DOD must coordinate with DOT to conduct a safety risk assessment and implement appropriate mitigations.

By December 31, 2031, DOD aircraft (other than certain special mission aircraft) must be equipped with and operating integrated ADS-B In technology.

With respect to civil aircraft, by December 31, 2031, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must generally require aircraft that are currently required to be equipped with ADS-B Out to also be equipped with ADS-B In.

Additionally, among other requirements, the FAA must

  • establish time-on-position limits for supervisory ATC personnel;
  • establish a process to timely notify parties involved in certain near-miss incidents; and
  • evaluate and revise, as necessary, helicopter routes around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Text of the bill

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I Civil Aviation Matters

Sec. 107. Time-on-position limits Added Apr 9

Where this section came from

Not in the first version (Introduced in House, Feb 20).

  1. Apr 9, 2026 · Reported in House Marked up by House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Mar 26 Marked up by House Committee on Armed Services, Mar 26 Reported by House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Apr 9 Reported by House Committee on Armed Services, Apr 9 Committee members' individual votes aren't in our records.
What is a markup?

A markup is a committee meeting where members go through a bill and vote on changes before sending it to the full chamber.

(a) Time-on-position limits

(1) In general. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in coordination with organizations representing air traffic controller managers and supervisors, shall establish time-on-position limits for operations supervisory personnel.

(2) Considerations. In developing the limits described in paragraph (1), the Administrator shall—

(A) evaluate appropriate time-on-position limits for operations supervisory personnel, prioritizing the evaluation of such limits at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and other air traffic facilities with high volumes of mixed rotorcraft and airplane traffic;

(B) establish such limits for Air Traffic Organization operations supervisory personnel at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and other air traffic facilities with high volumes of mixed helicopter and airplane traffic;

(C) develop guidance for district and facility-level management to adapt such limits to account for their own staffing and local standard operating procedures;

(D) consider the operational needs and staffing levels of the air traffic facilities described in the previous subparagraphs to ensure effective oversight and monitoring of safety critical operations;

(E) consider air traffic control specialists performing watch supervision in the controller-in-charge position;

(F) consider requirements of FAA Order JO 7210.3EE, titled Facility Operation and Administration, issued on February 20, 2025, or any successor document, and FAA Order JO 7110.65BB, titled Air Traffic Control, issued on February 20, 2025, or any successor document;

(G) consider data, reports, and best practices pertaining to human factors; and

(H) consider any other items determined appropriate by the Administrator.

(3) Consultation. The Administrator may consult with the exclusive bargaining representative of air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code.

(b) Rule of construction. Nothing in this section shall be construed to interfere with any agreement between a governmental agency and the exclusive bargaining representative of air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code, section 7106(a) of title 5, United States Code, or section 40122 of title 49, United States Code.

(c) Definitions. In this section:

(1) Controller-in-charge. The term controller-in-charge means the bargaining unit air traffic control specialist responsible for providing watch supervision for the continuous operation of an air traffic control facility or area in any case in which operations supervisory personnel are not available.

(2) Operational oversight. The term operational oversight means the duty of the individual in charge of the operation to effectively lead and manage the delivery of air traffic services by maintaining intentional engagement, situational awareness, and accountability within the area of supervision.

(3) Operations supervisory personnel. The term operations supervisory personnel means managerial personnel responsible for the direct supervision of air traffic control operational personnel.

II Department of Defense Matters