S. 2503 · Failed · Transportation and Public Works

ROTOR Act

What it does

Generally requires aircraft to operate with ADS-B In equipment providing the location of other aircraft and traffic advisories, which current law does not require.
Limits which flights count as sensitive government missions exempt from ADS-B Out requirements, excluding training flights, and adds reporting and notification requirements.
Requires a GAO review of the exemption's use and annual DOT Inspector General audits of FAA oversight of exempt operations.
Repeals a 2025 law exempting certain military helicopters from ADS-B Out requirements in the Washington, DC, area and requires an Army Inspector General audit of Army coordination with the FAA.
Failed in the House on a suspension vote of 264 to 133, short of the two-thirds required.

Official summary

Rotorcraft 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…

Latest action

Feb 24, 2026: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 264 - 133 (Roll no. 72).

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation