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. 111. Operational rates at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Changed · Apr 9

Where this section came from

  1. Feb 20, 2026 · Introduced in House Referred to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Feb 20 Referred to House Committee on Armed Services, Feb 20
  2. 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 changed in the text

… 14 unchanged passages …

(1) Any air carrier operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, with scheduled operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport , including regional air carriers and low-cost and ultra-low-cost air carriers . (2) Air carriers operating under parts 91, including subpart K, and 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, authorized to conduct non-scheduled operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. (3) The exclusive bargaining representatives of air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5, United Sates Code. ( 3 4 ) The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. ( 4 5 ) Any other stakeholders the Administrator determines appropriate.

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) In general. Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall initiate an assessment of the aircraft arrival rate at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

(b) Considerations. In conducting the assessment described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall consider—

(1) airspace complexity;

(2) airfield limitations;

(3) mixed-fleet operations;

(4) traffic volume;

(5) air carrier scheduling practices;

(6) the operational capacity of such airport;

(7) the current hourly instrument flight rules allocation practice at such airport;

(8) expertise provided by the Air Traffic Organization; and

(9) any other considerations the Administrator determines appropriate.

(c) Completion of assessment. Not later than 180 days after the Administrator initiates the assessment under subsection (a), the Administrator shall complete and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress such assessment, including any related findings and recommendations.

(d) Rulemaking. Not later than 30 days after completing the assessment pursuant to subsection (c), and taking such assessment into account, the Administrator shall initiate a rulemaking proceeding to update subpart K of part 93 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, to require allocated instrument flight rules operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to be prescribed in periods not greater than 30 minutes to ensure such airport does not exceed safe capacity.

(e) Consultation. In conducting the rulemaking required under subsection (d), the Administrator shall consult with the following:

(1) Any air carrier operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, with scheduled operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, including regional air carriers and low-cost and ultra-low-cost air carriers.

(2) Air carriers operating under parts 91, including subpart K, and 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, authorized to conduct non-scheduled operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

(3) The exclusive bargaining representatives of air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5, United Sates Code.

(4) The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

(5) Any other stakeholders the Administrator determines appropriate.

II Department of Defense Matters