USCTA Alert

October 21, 2025

We have good news to report this morning from the Senate Commerce Committee, where Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) has withdrawn three troubling amendments that were aimed at limit the ability of airports to utilize ADS-B technology for the collection of appropriate, reasonable, and necessary user fees. Our sincere thanks to the many airports who have weighed in over the past week to express concerns about the amendments and the so-called Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act.
 
As we noted in previous Alerts, the amendments were filed last week to the ROTOR Act, an important bipartisan safety-related bill that was drafted in the wake of the tragic late January accident at DCA. Among other things, the ROTOR Act would establish new requirements for the utilization of ADS-B technology by virtually all aircraft and helicopters. The ROTOR Act was adopted unanimously, and AAAE supports this important safety related legislation as passed by the Commerce Committee today.
 
While we have had success today with your help and assistance, it is clear that we will need to remain vigilant to educate members of the Senate and House about airports concerns with the AOPA-backed S. 2175, the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act. It is clear that proponents of the legislation will continue to look for opportunities to advance the legislation.