H.R. 6222

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6222 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6222

To require all aircraft to be equipped with Automatic Dependent 
Surveillance-Broadcast In, to improve aviation safety, and for other 
purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 20, 2025

Mr. Onder (for himself and Mr. Beyer) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for 
a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

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,

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 
DC 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.
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