ALERT Act
Rep. Graves Leads Bipartisan Push for ALERT Act to Prevent Midair Collisions Near Major Airports
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill, called the ALERT Act, requires most airplanes and helicopters to install new technology that helps pilots avoid hitting other aircraft. It focuses on upgrading collision avoidance systems so they give better warnings and work more accurately when planes are flying close to the ground or near busy airports.
From policy text
“This Act may be cited as the ``Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency Act of 2026'' or the ``ALERT Act''.”
View in full text - Air travelers and pilots are the most affected. By requiring better tracking and warning tools, the bill aims to reduce near misses in the sky. It specifically targets busy areas like Washington, D.C., where many different types of aircraft—including military helicopters and commercial jets—share the same space.
From policy text
“prioritizing the evaluation of such practices at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and other air traffic facilities with high volumes of mixed helicopter and airplane traffic”
View in full text - The policy addresses concerns about recent close calls between planes. It forces the FAA to update how air traffic controllers are trained and how they handle busy flight paths. It also requires the military to use the same tracking systems as civilian planes when flying over major cities so everyone can see each other on radar.
From policy text
“the Secretary of a military department may not authorize any Department of Defense manned rotary wing aircraft to operate a training mission in the National Capital Region unless such aircraft is actively transmitting an ADS-B Out broadcast, or similar technology, compatible with the traffic alert and collision avoidance system of commercial aircraft”
View in full text - Most of these changes would happen over the next few years. For example, the FAA must set a deadline for all affected planes to have the new gear by the end of 2031. The bill also creates a task force to improve the alerts air traffic controllers see on their screens to make sure they do not miss a potential crash.
From policy text
“establish an effective date not later than December 31, 2031, for equipping the covered aircraft with technology described in subsection (a) that reflects various aircraft types, appropriate maintenance cycles, and required updates to appropriate guidance for such technology after certification of such technologies.”
View in full text - To keep things safe, the bill requires immediate drug and alcohol testing for air traffic controllers after any accident or serious incident. It also orders a deep dive into the safety culture of the government's air traffic agency to make sure employees feel comfortable reporting risks without getting in trouble.
From policy text
“the Administrator shall review and revise, as appropriate, the initial event response procedures of the Air Traffic Organization to ensure an appropriate on-site supervisor makes each postaccident and postincident drug and alcohol testing determination in a timely manner.”
View in full text
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
State Impacts
Milestones
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
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.
Introduced in House
Related News
3 articlesALERT Act Aviation Safety Bill Introduced in U.S. House
The bipartisan ALERT Act was introduced to address safety issues from the 2025 DCA midair collision. The legislation proposes mandating advanced collision-avoidance technologies, revising air traffic control procedures, and improving helicopter route design and airspace management.
NTSB Says ALERT Act Falls Short of Safety Goals
NTSB leadership stated they cannot support the ALERT Act, arguing it fails to mandate ADS-B In technology for all aircraft. Chair Jennifer Homendy criticized the bill for providing exemptions to the military and giving too much leeway to operators compared to stricter safety recommendations.
House votes down Senate air safety legislation
The House failed to pass the Senate's ROTOR Act, with Republicans favoring the rival ALERT Act. While proponents say the ALERT Act addresses all 50 NTSB recommendations, critics argue it lacks the mandatory ADS-B In requirements that safety advocates say are critical to preventing midair crashes.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
ALERT Act
Data Sources
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Cosponsors
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