ROTOR Act
Latest action (Feb 24, 2026) — On the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 264 - 133 (Roll no. 72).
What it does
Congressional Research Service, Dec 17, 2025Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act or the ROTOR Act
This bill addresses aviation safety by increasing requirements for aircraft tracking and communication using Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology and expanding oversight.
As background, ADS-B for broadcasting (Out) and receiving (In) transmits information (e.g., location and weather information) between aircraft and air traffic control.
Under the bill, aircraft must generally operate with ADS-B In equipment to provide the aircraft with location information of other aircraft and traffic advisories. Current law does not require this equipment.
Current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations allow aircraft performing a sensitive government mission to be excepted from requirements for using ADS-B Out equipment. This bill limits which flights may be considered sensitive government missions (e.g., not training flights) and requires additional reporting and notifications for the exception.
The Government Accountability Office must review the use of the ADS-B Out exception and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Transportation must annually audit FAA oversight of operations that use the exception.
Further, the bill repeals a 2025 law that exempts certain military helicopters from the ADS-B Out requirements for the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.
The bill also requires
the OIG of the Army to audit the Army’s coordination with the FAA,the FAA to establish an office to coordinate airspace usage of military aircraft and review the safety of flight operations and routes around airports, andthe FAA to enter into memoranda of understanding with military agencies for safety information sharing.
Face Value
as reported to the SenateHow much of this bill its name accounts for.
- Every bill starts at100
- Areas of law−8
Amends 2 titles of the US Code (5 and 49) rather than one.
Face Value measures reach, not honesty. A big bill can be accurately named, and a low score is not an accusation — it means the contents reach further than any short title could describe. Count it yourself ↗ How this is worked out
What Congress did
1 recordedOn decisive vote
House · Feb 24, 2026
A fast-track vote: no amendments, short debate, and two thirds needed to pass. Used for bills expected to be uncontroversial.
Who lobbied on this
17 organizationsThese organizations told Congress, in their own quarterly disclosures, that they were lobbying on this bill.
- International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workerswanted it passed
“…Aircraft (No Bill Number) Support ROTOR Act S. 2503 Support ALERT Act H.R. 7613” filing ↗
- Air Line Pilots Associationno position stated
“……” filing ↗
- Airbus Americas, Inc.no position stated
“S. 2503/H.R. 6222 Rotorcraft Operations Transparency & Oversight Reform Act (ROTOR…” filing ↗
- Aircraft Owners & Pilots Associationno position stated
“…airspace system install and operate ADS-B In and ADS-B Out equipment, and for other purposes S.1985 Safe Operations of Shared Airspace Act of 2025 S.2503 Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act S.3258 Aviation Medication Transparency Act S.3929 Air Traffic Situational…” filing ↗
- American Airlines Inc.no position stated
“…Implementation of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (P.L. 118-63). Issues related to the ROTOR Act (S.2503). Issues related to FAA funding. Issues related to the ALERT Act (H.R.7613).” filing ↗
- Communications Workers of Americano position stated
“…have stronger filters for air quality The Good Jobs for Good Airports Act would set national wage and benefit standards for airport service workers S.2503/H.R.6222, the ROTOR Act would enhance aviation safety by mandating ADS-B in technology for all manned aircraft in specific airspaces, close…” filing ↗
- Fedex Corporationno position stated
“…operating in Class B airspace in the national airspace system to install and operate ADS-B In and ADS-B Out equipment, and for other purposes S.2503 - Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act Transportation Security Reauthorization Act H.R.6086 - Aviation Funding Solvency…” filing ↗
- Garmin Internationalno position stated
“…Issues related to Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast IN requirements in Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act (S. 2503) Issues related to Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast IN requirements in Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency Act of…” filing ↗
- General Aviation Manufacturers Associationno position stated
“…in Class B airspace in the national airspace system to install and operate ADS-B In and ADS-B Out equipment, Transportation Security Reauthorization, S.2503 and HR 6222-Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act, S 3700-FAA SMS Compliance Review Act of 2026, HR…” filing ↗
- Honeywell Internationalno position stated
“…systems) Air Traffic Control Modernization (airborne and Ground-based safety systems) Aviation Safety FAA CLEEN and ASCENT Funding ROTOR Act (S. 2503) Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast systems (ADS-B) Advanced engine technology Cabin Air Quality and Safety” filing ↗
- International Brotherhood of Teamstersno position stated
“…Act - H.R.4994 - Safe Air on Airplanes Act - S.1966 - Don't Miss Your Flight Act - H.R.6086 - Aviation Funding Solvency Act - H.R.7613 - ALERT Act - S.2503 - ROTOR Act - Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 (H.R. 2591/S. 3257) - H.R.7526 - Safe Skies Act of 2026 - H.R.7501 - Safe Flights for…” filing ↗
- National Air Traffic Controllers Associationno position stated
“…S.1985 Safe Operations of Shared Airspace Act of 2025. S.1966 Dont Miss Your Flight Act. S.2503 ROTOR Act. Air Traffic Control retirement. Air traffic control technology and modernization: Including Brand New Air Traffic Control System…” filing ↗
Most filings say only that an organization lobbied on a bill, not which side it took — where that's the case we say so rather than guessing. Quotes are verbatim from the filing. How this is built.
Discussion
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