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Congress·In Committee·S. 1985

Safe Operations of Shared Airspace Act of 2025

Sen. Cantwell Introduces Bill to Mandate New Safety Tech and Protect FAA Hiring

10 months ago·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

The Safe Operations of Shared Airspace Act of 2025 is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It has been sent to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for review, where it is waiting for further action. The bill is considered active, but no future hearings or votes have been scheduled yet.

Legislative Progress

Senate
House
President
Law

Key Points

  • Requires all major airlines to install ADS-B In tracking technology within four years, helping pilots see other aircraft positions in real time to prevent mid-air collisions. This applies to airlines operating under Part 121 and certain Part 135 services.

    From policy text

    “Not later than the date that is 4 years after the date of enactment of this section, an air carrier operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations or providing service under part 135 of title 14 of such Code pursuant to a schedule or in conjunction with part 380 of title 14 of such Code may not operate an aircraft unless the aircraft has Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast In (ADS-B In) equipment installed and operational at all times”
    View in full text
  • Bans hiring freezes, deferred resignation programs, and reductions in force at the FAA. It also reverses any hiring freezes imposed at the agency since January 20, 2025, and extends the maximum air traffic controller hiring requirement through 2033.

    From policy text

    “Each action by the President, the Secretary, the Administrator, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, or other head, officer, or employee of a Federal executive entity to halt appointment activities at the FAA during the period beginning on January 20, 2025, and ending on the date of enactment of this section is reversed.”
    View in full text
  • Orders immediate safety reviews of airspace around Reagan National Airport and other major airports, studying how military, law enforcement, and drone flights interact with commercial airline operations. Reagan National's review must begin within 30 days and finish within 120 days.
  • Creates an independent expert panel to review whether the FAA is following its own safety management system rules. The panel includes NASA reps, aviation labor organizations, and independent experts with at least 10 years of experience.
  • Requires the FAA and military branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard) to sign information-sharing agreements within 60-90 days, so military aviation safety data can be used to improve civilian flight safety.

    From policy text

    “the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of the Army shall establish a Memorandum of Understanding to permit, as appropriate, the sharing of information from the Army's Safety Management Information System with the FAA to facilitate communications and analysis of any applicable impacts to the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations”
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  • Tightens rules on when government planes can turn off their ADS-B tracking signals, limiting the 'sensitive government mission' exception to exclude training flights, routine flights, and flights of officials below Cabinet rank.

    From policy text

    “the term ``sensitive government mission'' shall be strictly construed and shall not include training flights, flights of Federal officials below the rank of Cabinet Member, or any routine flights.”
    View in full text
Infrastructure TransportationNational Security Foreign PolicyLabor Employment

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

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
Jun 5, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Jun 5, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

30 days after enactment

FAA begins safety review of airspace around Reagan National Airport and establishes FAA-DOD coordination office

Experts will start studying whether military helicopters, drones, and other aircraft create risks for commercial flights at one of America's busiest airports, with results expected about 4 months later.

4 years after enactment

Airlines must have ADS-B In collision-avoidance technology installed and working on all aircraft

Every major commercial flight will have cockpit displays showing nearby aircraft positions, giving pilots better tools to avoid mid-air collisions. Airlines that don't comply can't fly.

Upon enactment

Air traffic controller max hiring requirement extended through 2033

The FAA will be required to keep hiring controllers at maximum pace for five more years, helping address chronic understaffing that affects flight delays and safety.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Safe Operations of Shared Airspace Act of 2025

Bill NumberS 1985
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Read Full Bill Text

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(13)
D: 13

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.