ROTOR Act
This bill aims to prevent mid-air collisions by prohibiting military and government aircraft from turning off their electronic tracking beacons during routine training flights near busy commercial airports. Over the next several years, the Federal Aviation Administration must require most existing and newly built aircraft to install cockpit systems that display real-time positions of nearby air traffic. The FAA must also review and modify helicopter routes nationwide to ensure safe separation from airplanes and study automated airspace restrictions near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- Fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter pilotsGain greater flight safety and situational awareness through redrawn charted routes that increase separation distances and expanded cockpit visibility of nearby air traffic via mandatory ADS-B In equipment (Sec. 3(a)-(b), Sec. 6(a)-(b)).
Who it burdens
- Owners and operators of existing manned aircraft required to have ADS-B OutMust retrofit their aircraft to install and operate ADS-B In receiver equipment within three to five years of the FAA's final rule (Sec. 3(b)).
- Manufacturers of newly manufactured manned aircraftMust ensure all newly built U.S.-registered manned aircraft are equipped with ADS-B In receiver technology within three years of the final rule (Sec. 3(a)).
- Federal, state, local, and tribal agencies operating aircraftAre prohibited from disabling ADS-B Out tracking transmitters during training or proficiency flights in Class B or Class C airspace (unless tied to a national security event) and must submit quarterly logs to the FAA detailing any non-transmitting flights (Sec. 2(a)(1), Sec. 2(c)(1)).
- Department of the ArmySubject to an Inspector General audit reviewing National Capital Region flight operations, pilot training standards, ADS-B Out tracker usage, UH-60 Black Hawk maintenance protocols, and loss-of-separation incidents (Sec. 5(a)-(c)).
The provisions, in plain language.
Show all 9 provisions
Requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue regulations clarifying that government aircraft cannot turn off their ADS-B tracking transmitters under the 'sensitive mission' exception during training or proficiency flights in busy Class B or Class C airspace, unless tied to a national security event.
Directs the FAA to issue a rule requiring all newly manufactured U.S. manned aircraft to be equipped with ADS-B In traffic receiver technology within three years of the final rule.
Directs the FAA to require existing manned aircraft that already use ADS-B Out to install and operate ADS-B In receivers to view surrounding air traffic.
Requires the FAA to study the feasibility, costs, and safety benefits of establishing an automated dynamic restricted airspace over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to automatically keep helicopters separated from departing airplanes.
Directs the Army Inspector General to conduct an audit of Army helicopter operations in the National Capital Region—including pilot training, flight tracker usage, helicopter maintenance, and past near-miss incidents—and publish the findings.
Directs the FAA to review charted helicopter routes nationwide and redraw flight paths as needed to increase safe distance between helicopters and airplanes.
Directs the FAA to issue guidance advising national defense, homeland security, intelligence, and law enforcement aircraft to use collision avoidance and traffic information systems whenever practicable.
Requires government agencies operating aircraft to submit quarterly logs to the FAA showing when and why tracking transmitters were turned off, and directs the FAA to report biannually to Congress on whether these exemptions jeopardize flight safety.
Repeals a statutory provision from the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act regarding Department of Defense aircraft ADS-B equipment requirements.
Requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue regulations clarifying that government aircraft cannot turn off their ADS-B tracking transmitters under the 'sensitive mission' exception during training or proficiency flights in busy Class B or Class C airspace, unless tied to a national security event.
Directs the FAA to issue a rule requiring all newly manufactured U.S. manned aircraft to be equipped with ADS-B In traffic receiver technology within three years of the final rule.
Directs the FAA to require existing manned aircraft that already use ADS-B Out to install and operate ADS-B In receivers to view surrounding air traffic.
Requires the FAA to study the feasibility, costs, and safety benefits of establishing an automated dynamic restricted airspace over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to automatically keep helicopters separated from departing airplanes.
Directs the Army Inspector General to conduct an audit of Army helicopter operations in the National Capital Region—including pilot training, flight tracker usage, helicopter maintenance, and past near-miss incidents—and publish the findings.
Directs the FAA to review charted helicopter routes nationwide and redraw flight paths as needed to increase safe distance between helicopters and airplanes.
How your members of Congress line up
How members voted on ROTOR Act.
Recorded roll calls on this bill, most recent first. Open one to see each member's position.
How it moved.
Show all 19 actions
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 264 - 133 (Roll no. 72).
- Failed of passage/not agreed to in House On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 264 - 133 (Roll no. 72).
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2277)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2503.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2248-2257)
- Mr. Graves moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S8813-8817)
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8811-8817)
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 269.
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Introduced in Senate
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 264 - 133 (Roll no. 72).
- Failed of passage/not agreed to in House On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 264 - 133 (Roll no. 72).
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S8813-8817)
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Introduced in Senate
Read it for yourself.
Sources & provenance
Cite this page
Civic Herald. “ROTOR Act (S. 2503, 119th Congress).” https://civicherald.app/bills/119-s-2503. Congress.gov record as of Jul 18, 2026.