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. 103. Airborne collision avoidance systems for rotorcraft 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

(a) In general. Not later than December 31, 2026, the Administrator shall take necessary action to work with the appropriate standards - setting organization to develop, finalize , and publish minimum operational performance standards for the collision avoidance system know known as Airborne Collision Avoidance System Xr (in this section referred to as ACAS - Xr ). ) that uses both ADS–B In and a second independent source of target aircraft data, such as transponder interrogations. (b) ACAS - Xr aviation rulemaking committee. (1) Establishment. Not later than 30 days after the date on which the appropriate standards - setting organization publishes minimal operational performance standards for ACAS - Xr under subsection (a), or January 31, 2027, (whichever is earlier), the Administrator shall establish an aviation rulemaking committee (in this section referred to as the Committee) to review and develop findings and recommendations to require selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lift aircraft be equipped and operating with ACAS - Xr that has ADS–B In and is configured to provide visual and audible alerting to the pilot and flight crew .

… 5 unchanged passages …

(E) an organization representing rotorcraft air medical services; (F) general aviation aircraft manufacturers; ( F G ) powered-lift aircraft operators and manufacturers; (H) avionics manufacturers; ( G I ) supplemental type certificate holders; ( H J ) modification service providers; ( I K ) exclusive bargaining representatives of air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code; ( J L ) the certified bargaining representative of aviation safety inspectors and engineers for the Federal Aviation Administration FAA ; ( K M ) aviation safety experts with specific knowledge of human factors or human factors experts with specific knowledge of aviation safety; (N) a career representative from the National Transportation Safety Board with subject matter expertise as an observer; and ( L O ) any other stakeholders the Administrator determines appropriate.

(3) Considerations. In developing the findings and recommendations required under paragraph (1), the Committee shall consider—

(A) the any anticipated modifications to the minimum operational performance standards of ACAS - Xr that are required by subsection (c)(1)(B); (B) the anticipated certification timeline for ACAS - Xr equipment given the technical complexity and requisite procedures for approval; (C) a projected deadline for equipping newly manufactured selected rotorcraft the and commercial selected availability powered-lift of aircraft the necessary components associated with ACAS - Xr that considers— (i) the safety benefits of ACAS Xr; (ii) the anticipated timeline needed for the FAA to approve the installation of ACAS - Xr on various rotorcraft and powered-lift aircraft or for various operations; and ( ii iii ) the commercial availability of the necessary components associated with ACAS - Xr; and ( iv) the operational and technical considerations associated with installing ACAS Xr on newly manufactured selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lift aircraft; ( D) a projected deadline to retrofit selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lifted aircraft with ACAS - Xr that considers— (i) the safety benefits of ACAS Xr; (ii) the feasibility of using existing antennas of existing collision mitigation prevention systems equipped in such selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lift aircraft ; ( ii iii ) the feasibility and cost associated with retrofitting selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lift aircraft not equipped with existing collision avoidance systems; and ( iii iv ) the commercial availability of the necessary components associated with ACAS - Xr; and ( v) the operational and technical considerations associated with retrofitting selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lift aircraft; ( E) actions that the Administrator can take to prioritize the certification and installation of ACAS - Xr; (F) the interaction of ACAS Xr with existing collision prevention technologies; (G) the efficacy of ACAS Xr in low-altitude and high-density airspace environments; (H) any available safety data assessing the effectiveness of ACAS Xr in reducing midair collision risk; (I) related training for air traffic controllers, pilots, and others; (J) National Transportation Safety Board Aviation Investigation Report AIR–26–02 adopted on January 27, 2026; and ( G K ) any other considerations the Committee determines appropriate.

… 2 unchanged passages …

(1) In general. Not later than 18 months after the submission of the report required under subsection (b)(4), or 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act (whichever is earlier), the Administrator shall— (A) issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to require prohibit all persons from operating selected rotorcraft to and be selected powered-lift aircraft unless such rotorcraft or powered-lift aircraft are equipped and operating with ACAS - Xr ; that uses both ADS–B In and transponder interrogations, as required under the minimum operational performance standards as required under subsection ( a); and ( B) take necessary actions with the appropriate standards-setting organization to modify the minimal operational performance standards for ACAS - Xr , including to — (i) update traffic advisory aural alerts alert standards to include clock position, relative altitude, range and vertical tendency; and (ii) the integrate integration of directional traffic symbols into visual displays .

(2) Contents. The notice of proposed rulemaking required under paragraph (1)(A) shall include, at a minimum—

(A) appropriate guidance for the certification of ACAS - Xr systems;

(B) defined standards for the modifications to such systems described in paragraph (1)(B);

(C) a deadline for any newly manufactured selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lift aircraft to be equipped with ACAS - Xr, based considering on the findings and recommendations developed pursuant to subsection (b); and (D) a deadline for selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lift aircraft to be retrofit with ACAS - Xr, based considering on the findings and recommendations developed pursuant to subsection (b ). ); and (E) a deadline for selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lift aircraft to be equipped with collision prevention technology pursuant to section 104, not to exceed December 31, 2031.

… 1 unchanged passage …

(d) Selected Technical assistance. The Administrator shall provide technical assistance to facilitating equipage across the entire fleet of affected aircraft to provide support for selected rotorcraft operators and selected powered-lift aircraft operators in complying with the requirements of this section . (e) Definitions. In this section , : the (1) Selected rotorcraft. The term selected rotorcraft means a civil non-military rotorcraft operating in Class B airspace. (2) Powered-lift aircraft. The term powered-lift aircraft has the meaning given the term powered-lift in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. (3) Selected powered-lift aircraft. The term selected powered-lift aircraft means a non-military powered-lift aircraft operating in Class B airspace.

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 December 31, 2026, the Administrator shall take necessary action with the appropriate standards-setting organization to finalize and publish minimum operational performance standards for the collision avoidance system known as Airborne Collision Avoidance System Xr (in this section referred to as ACAS Xr) that uses both ADS–B In and a second independent source of target aircraft data, such as transponder interrogations.

(b) ACAS Xr aviation rulemaking committee

(1) Establishment. Not later than 30 days after the date on which the appropriate standards-setting organization publishes minimal operational performance standards for ACAS Xr under subsection (a), or January 31, 2027, (whichever is earlier), the Administrator shall establish an aviation rulemaking committee (in this section referred to as the Committee) to review and develop findings and recommendations to require selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lift aircraft be equipped and operating with ACAS Xr that has ADS–B In and is configured to provide visual and audible alerting to the pilot and flight crew.

(2) Composition. The Committee shall consist of members appointed by the Administrator, including representatives of—

(A) rotorcraft operating under part 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations;

(B) rotorcraft operating under part 91 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations;

(C) rotorcraft manufacturers;

(D) an organization representing rotorcraft operators and pilots;

(E) an organization representing rotorcraft air medical services;

(F) general aviation aircraft manufacturers;

(G) powered-lift aircraft operators and manufacturers;

(H) avionics manufacturers;

(I) supplemental type certificate holders;

(J) modification service providers;

(K) exclusive bargaining representatives of air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code;

(L) the certified bargaining representative of aviation safety inspectors and engineers for the FAA;

(M) aviation safety experts with specific knowledge of human factors or human factors experts with specific knowledge of aviation safety;

(N) a career representative from the National Transportation Safety Board with subject matter expertise as an observer; and

(O) any other stakeholders the Administrator determines appropriate.

(3) Considerations. In developing the findings and recommendations required under paragraph (1), the Committee shall consider—

(A) any anticipated modifications to the minimum operational performance standards of ACAS Xr that are required by subsection (c)(1)(B);

(B) the anticipated certification timeline for ACAS Xr equipment given the technical complexity and requisite procedures for approval;

(C) a projected deadline for equipping newly manufactured selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lift aircraft with ACAS Xr that considers—

(i) the safety benefits of ACAS Xr;

(ii) the anticipated timeline needed for the FAA to approve the installation of ACAS Xr on various rotorcraft and powered-lift aircraft or for various operations;

(iii) the commercial availability of the necessary components associated with ACAS Xr; and

(iv) the operational and technical considerations associated with installing ACAS Xr on newly manufactured selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lift aircraft;

(D) a projected deadline to retrofit selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lifted aircraft with ACAS Xr that considers—

(i) the safety benefits of ACAS Xr;

(ii) the feasibility of using existing antennas of existing collision prevention systems equipped in selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lift aircraft;

(iii) the feasibility and cost associated with retrofitting selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lift aircraft not equipped with existing collision avoidance systems;

(iv) the commercial availability of the necessary components associated with ACAS Xr; and

(v) the operational and technical considerations associated with retrofitting selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lift aircraft;

(E) actions that the Administrator can take to prioritize the certification and installation of ACAS Xr;

(F) the interaction of ACAS Xr with existing collision prevention technologies;

(G) the efficacy of ACAS Xr in low-altitude and high-density airspace environments;

(H) any available safety data assessing the effectiveness of ACAS Xr in reducing midair collision risk;

(I) related training for air traffic controllers, pilots, and others;

(J) National Transportation Safety Board Aviation Investigation Report AIR–26–02 adopted on January 27, 2026; and

(K) any other considerations the Committee determines appropriate.

(4) Report. Not later than 1 year after the establishment of the Committee, the Committee shall submit to the Administrator and the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the findings and the recommendations developed by the Committee under this subsection.

(c) Rulemaking and modification of minimal operating performance standards

(1) In general. Not later than 18 months after the submission of the report required under subsection (b)(4), or 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act (whichever is earlier), the Administrator shall—

(A) issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to prohibit persons from operating selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lift aircraft unless such rotorcraft or powered-lift aircraft are equipped and operating with ACAS Xr that uses both ADS–B In and transponder interrogations, as required under the minimum operational performance standards as required under subsection (a); and

(B) take necessary actions with the appropriate standards-setting organization to modify the minimal operational performance standards for ACAS Xr to—

(i) update traffic advisory aural alert standards to include clock position, relative altitude, range and vertical tendency; and

(ii) integrate directional traffic symbols into visual displays.

(2) Contents. The notice of proposed rulemaking required under paragraph (1)(A) shall include, at a minimum—

(A) appropriate guidance for the certification of ACAS Xr systems;

(B) defined standards for the modifications to such systems described in paragraph (1)(B);

(C) a deadline for any newly manufactured selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lift aircraft to be equipped with ACAS Xr, considering the findings and recommendations developed pursuant to subsection (b);

(D) a deadline for selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lift aircraft to be retrofit with ACAS Xr, considering the findings and recommendations developed pursuant to subsection (b); and

(E) a deadline for selected rotorcraft and selected powered-lift aircraft to be equipped with collision prevention technology pursuant to section 104, not to exceed December 31, 2031.

(3) Final rule. Not later than 18 months after the issuance of a notice of proposed rulemaking under paragraph (1)(A), the Administrator shall issue a final rule associated with such proposed rulemaking.

(d) Technical assistance. The Administrator shall provide technical assistance to facilitating equipage across the entire fleet of affected aircraft to provide support for selected rotorcraft operators and selected powered-lift aircraft operators in complying with the requirements of this section.

(e) Definitions. In this section:

(1) Selected rotorcraft. The term selected rotorcraft means a non-military rotorcraft operating in Class B airspace.

(2) Powered-lift aircraft. The term powered-lift aircraft has the meaning given the term powered-lift in section 1.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.

(3) Selected powered-lift aircraft. The term selected powered-lift aircraft means a non-military powered-lift aircraft operating in Class B airspace.

II Department of Defense Matters