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Congress·In Committee

Rep. Graves Leads Bipartisan Push for ALERT Act to Prevent Midair Collisions Near Major Airports

ALERT Act

Also known as: ALERT Act

19 days ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
Infrastructure TransportationNational Security Foreign Policy

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Feb 20, 2026House

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.

Feb 20, 2026

Introduced in House

Related News

3 articles
AVweb·19 days ago

ALERT 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.

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FLYING Magazine·12 days ago

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.

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The Week·14 days ago

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.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

ALERT Act

Bill NumberHR 7613
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred 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.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(84)
D: 36R: 48

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.