ROTOR Act
Sponsored By: Representative Onder
In Committee
Summary
Narrowing ADS‑B Out exceptions and requiring ADS‑B In equipage to tighten rotorcraft oversight and boost civil‑military coordination for safer airspace. The bill would mandate new FAA audits, reporting, and a DoD‑civil aviation coordination office while forcing targeted airport safety reviews.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
New FAA‑DoD Coordination Office
This bill would require the FAA to create an Office of FAA‑DoD Coordination within 30 days. The office would coordinate military and civil use of the national airspace, improve aviation safety data sharing, consider whistleblower protections, and run time‑bound safety reviews starting at Reagan National. The FAA must sign memoranda of understanding with military services within 60 to 90 days and report its findings and brief Congress on a set schedule.
Army Audit of NCR Flight Safety
This bill would require the Army Inspector General to start an audit within 60 days. The audit would check Army coordination with the FAA, pilot training and qualifications in the National Capital Region, ADS‑B Out use, UH‑60 maintenance and calibration, compliance with a September 29, 2021 agreement, and reviews of loss‑of‑separation incidents. The IG must brief Congress every 180 days and the Army must release the final report within 14 days of conclusion, with only national‑security redactions allowed.
Stricter ADS‑B exception reporting
This bill would direct the Government Accountability Office to review agency use of ADS‑B Out exceptions within 2 years. Agencies doing sensitive missions would have to attest within 90 days and then quarterly that their operations transmit ADS‑B Out and list flights when they do not. The FAA would report to Congress within 180 days and then every six months, and must notify committees within 14 days if an agency uses an exception five or more times in a month.
Tighter ADS‑B exception definition
This bill would narrow the meaning of 'sensitive government mission' so it would not include training flights, proficiency flights, or flights by federal officials below Cabinet rank. The FAA must revise regulations and any memoranda of agreement within one year. If the FAA misses that deadline, it must report the status to congressional committees within 30 days.
New ADS‑B In equipment rule
This bill would require the FAA to issue a final rule within 2 years making aircraft already required to carry ADS‑B Out also carry ADS‑B In. The rule would take effect within 60 days of publication and would require equipage by December 31, 2031. Owners could apply for phased retrofit extensions up to one year if they show progress and meet FAA conditions. The FAA could allow lower‑cost options for aircraft under 12,500 pounds, including portable receivers and electronic flight bag displays, if they do not impair airworthiness.
Repeal DoD ADS‑B equipment rule
This bill would repeal the 2019 law that required certain Department of Defense aircraft to carry ADS‑B equipment. The change would remove that statutory equipment requirement for affected DoD aircraft.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Onder
MO • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]
VA • D
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1]
RI • D
Sponsored 12/23/2025
Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4]
OR • D
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Ellzey
TX • R
Sponsored 2/11/2026
Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7]
GA • R
Sponsored 2/11/2026
Hunt
TX • R
Sponsored 2/11/2026
Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11]
VA • D
Sponsored 2/11/2026
Rep. Joyce, David P. [R-OH-14]
OH • R
Sponsored 2/13/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 2/13/2026
McBride
DE • D
Sponsored 2/13/2026
Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5]
TX • R
Sponsored 2/20/2026
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 2/20/2026
Kennedy (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 2/20/2026
Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]
NY • D
Sponsored 2/20/2026
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 2/20/2026
Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]
CA • R
Sponsored 2/20/2026
Keating
MA • D
Sponsored 2/20/2026
Gonzalez, V.
TX • D
Sponsored 2/20/2026
Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10]
VA • D
Sponsored 2/20/2026
Langworthy
NY • R
Sponsored 2/20/2026
Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]
HI • D
Sponsored 2/20/2026
LaLota
NY • R
Sponsored 2/20/2026
Van Epps
TN • R
Sponsored 2/23/2026
Craig
MN • D
Sponsored 2/23/2026
McGovern
MA • D
Sponsored 2/23/2026
Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6]
OH • R
Sponsored 2/23/2026
Gomez
CA • D
Sponsored 2/23/2026
Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]
WA • D
Sponsored 2/23/2026
Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]
RI • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Conaway
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Friedman
CA • D
Sponsored 3/18/2026
Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]
FL • D
Sponsored 3/18/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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