WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 7613 · 119th Congress

ALERT Act

Passed HouseTransportation and Public Works
IntroducedFeb 20, 2026
Passed HouseApr 14, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Apr 15, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The House passed it 396–10. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 2 sections of existing law and would add 34 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 7613 would change 2 sections of existing law, and would create 34 new provisions of its own. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Apr 15, 2026).

49 U.S.C. 46101 Complaints and investigations

  • (c) Prohibition on Using ADS–B Out Data to Initiate an Investigation.— changed · Sec. 105(b) · see the words

10 U.S.C. 2654

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Definitions
  • Sec. 3 Findings; sense of Congress
  • Sec. 101 Airborne Collision Avoidance System Xa inhibit altitude
  • Sec. 102 Airborne Collision Avoidance System upgrades
  • Sec. 103 Airborne collision avoidance systems for rotorcraft
  • Sec. 104 Collision prevention systems
  • Sec. 106 Rulemaking accountability
  • Sec. 107 Time-on-position limits
  • Sec. 108 Controller threat and error management training
  • Sec. 109 Controller visual separation training
  • Sec. 110 Safety risk assessment tool
  • Sec. 111 Operational rates at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
  • Sec. 112 Time-based flow management
  • Sec. 113 Air traffic control facility levels
  • Sec. 114 Working group to evaluate shared frequency around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
  • Sec. 115 Anti-blocking technology
  • Sec. 116 Task force to identify improvements to air traffic controller conflict alert system
  • Sec. 117 Postaccident and postincident drug and alcohol testing
  • Sec. 118 Further modifications to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport area helicopter routes
  • Sec. 119 Requiring vertical separation near airports during critical phases of flight
  • Sec. 120 Helicopter Route Chart annual review
  • Sec. 121 Visual charts
  • Sec. 122 Close proximity encounters
  • Sec. 123 Notification of close proximity encounters and analysis of data
  • Sec. 124 Safety culture and safety management review
  • Sec. 125 Documentation of control position combinations
  • Sec. 126 Review of miles-in-trail procedures or agreements
  • Sec. 127 Closure of Helicopter Route 4
  • Sec. 201 Department of Defense matters relating to aviation safety
  • Sec. 203 Treatment of superseded memorandum of agreement and provision of law
  • Sec. 204 Report on communications degradation
  • Sec. 205 Annual report on proficiency flights in National Capitol Region
  • Sec. 206 Briefing on virtual constructive training
  • Sec. 207 Transparency regarding midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on January 29, 2025
What the words would change: every change, in place (2)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 49 U.S.C. 46101(c)(1)changedby H.R. 7613 Sec. 105(b)

    (1) In general.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may notneither the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration nor any other Federal, State, local, territorial, or Tribal official may initiate an investigation (excluding a criminal investigation) of a person based exclusively on automatic dependent surveillance–broadcast data.

    The bill says: Section 46101(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking "the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may not" and inserting "neither the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration nor any other Federal, State, local, territorial, or Tribal official may".

    Bill text · Current law (49 U.S.C. 46101)

  2. 10 U.S.C. 2654a new sectionrepealedby H.R. 7613 Sec. 202

    The bill says: Section 2654 of title 10, United States Code, is repealed.

    Bill text

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency Act of 2026 or the ALERT 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) among aircraft and air traffic control (ATC).

The bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to enter into an agreement regarding the use of collision prevention technologies on DOD aircraft. The agreement must require the use of ADS-B Out as the default practice for DOD helicopters operating in the national airspace, unless such use would affect operational security. For DOD helicopters that are carrying out special missions in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area and are exempt from ADS-B Out transmission requirements, DOD must coordinate with DOT to conduct a safety risk assessment and implement appropriate mitigations.

By December 31, 2031, DOD aircraft (other than certain special mission aircraft) must be equipped with and operating integrated ADS-B In technology.

Read the whole official summary (252 words, about 1 min)

With respect to civil aircraft, by December 31, 2031, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must generally require aircraft that are currently required to be equipped with ADS-B Out to also be equipped with ADS-B In.

Additionally, among other requirements, the FAA must

• establish time-on-position limits for supervisory ATC personnel;

• establish a process to timely notify parties involved in certain near-miss incidents; and

• evaluate and revise, as necessary, helicopter routes around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House, Apr 9, 2026).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. Apr 15, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.Senate
  2. Apr 14, 2026The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  3. Apr 14, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  4. Apr 14, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 396 - 10 (Roll no. 110). (text: CR H2856-2870) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  5. Apr 14, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 396 - 10 (Roll no. 110). (text: CR H2856-2870) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  6. Apr 14, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2875-2876)House floor actions
  7. Apr 14, 2026At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.House floor actions
  8. Apr 14, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7613.House floor actions
  9. Apr 14, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2856-2874)House floor actions
  10. Apr 14, 2026Mr. Graves moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
  11. Apr 9, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 528.House floor actions
  12. Apr 9, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-608, Part II.House floor actions
  13. Apr 9, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-608, Part II.Library of Congress
  14. Apr 9, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Armed Services. H. Rept. 119-608, Part I.House floor actions
  15. Apr 9, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Armed Services. H. Rept. 119-608, Part I.Library of Congress
  16. Mar 26, 2026Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 53 - 0.House committee actions
  17. Mar 26, 2026Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 62 - 0.House committee actions
  18. Mar 26, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  19. Mar 26, 2026Subcommittee on Aviation DischargedHouse committee actions
  20. Mar 26, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  21. Feb 21, 2026Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.House committee actions
  22. Feb 20, 2026Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Armed Services.House floor actions
  23. Feb 20, 2026Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Armed Services.House floor actions
  24. Feb 20, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  25. Feb 20, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Apr 14, 2026 · HousePassed 396–10
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · needed two-thirds
    R 196 yes, 9 noI 1 yes, 0 noD 199 yes, 1 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Mark Alford R-MO-4
  • Brian Babin R-TX-36
  • Don Bacon R-NE-2
  • Troy Balderson R-OH-12
  • Nicholas J. Begich III R-AK-At Large
  • Wesley Bell D-MO-1
  • Donald S. Beyer, Jr. D-VA-8
  • Gus M. Bilirakis R-FL-12
  • Mike Bost R-IL-12
  • Julia Brownley D-CA-26
  • André Carson D-IN-7
  • Troy A. Carter D-LA-2
Show 75 more cosponsors
  • Kathy Castor D-FL-14
  • Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. D-CA-31
  • Joe Courtney D-CT-2
  • Jeff Crank R-CO-5
  • Eric A. "Rick" Crawford R-AR-1
  • Sharice Davids D-KS-3
  • Mark DeSaulnier D-CA-10
  • Scott DesJarlais R-TN-4
  • Gabe Evans R-CO-8
  • Mike Ezell R-MS-4
  • Shomari Figures D-AL-2
  • Randy Fine R-FL-6
  • Brad Finstad R-MN-1
  • Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann R-TN-3
  • Lizzie Fletcher D-TX-7
  • Vince Fong R-CA-20
  • Valerie P. Foushee D-NC-4
  • Laura Friedman D-CA-30
  • John Garamendi D-CA-8
  • Sylvia R. Garcia D-TX-29
  • Daniel S. Goldman D-NY-10
  • Lance Gooden R-TX-5
  • Chrissy Houlahan D-PA-6
  • Jared Huffman D-CA-2
  • Bill Huizenga R-MI-4
  • Jeff Hurd R-CO-3
  • Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. D-GA-4
  • Thomas H. Kean, Jr. R-NJ-7
  • William R. Keating D-MA-9
  • Trent Kelly R-MS-1
  • Mike Kennedy R-UT-3
  • Jennifer A. Kiggans R-VA-2
  • Kimberlyn King-Hinds R-MP-At Large
  • Brad Knott R-NC-13
  • Rick Larsen D-WA-2
  • John B. Larson D-CT-1
  • Michael Lawler R-NY-17
  • Frank D. Lucas R-OK-3
  • Tracey Mann R-KS-1
  • Sarah McBride D-DE-At Large
  • Richard McCormick R-GA-7
  • Kristen McDonald Rivet D-MI-8
  • Addison P. McDowell R-NC-6
  • John J. McGuire III R-VA-5
  • Mark B. Messmer R-IN-8
  • Seth Moulton D-MA-6
  • Troy E. Nehls R-TX-22
  • Donald Norcross D-NJ-1
  • Jay Obernolte R-CA-23
  • Burgess Owens R-UT-4
  • Mike Rogers R-AL-3
  • John W. Rose R-TN-6
  • David Rouzer R-NC-7
  • Hillary J. Scholten D-MI-3
  • Austin Scott R-GA-8
  • Jefferson Shreve R-IN-6
  • Adam Smith D-WA-9
  • Adrian Smith R-NE-3
  • Pete Stauber R-MN-8
  • Elise M. Stefanik R-NY-21
  • Marilyn Strickland D-WA-10
  • Suhas Subramanyam D-VA-10
  • Shri Thanedar D-MI-13
  • Mike Thompson D-CA-4
  • William R. Timmons IV R-SC-4
  • Derek Tran D-CA-45
  • Jefferson Van Drew R-NJ-2
  • Derrick Van Orden R-WI-3
  • Debbie Wasserman Schultz D-FL-25
  • Bonnie Watson Coleman D-NJ-12
  • Daniel Webster R-FL-11
  • Bruce Westerman R-AR-4
  • Joe Wilson R-SC-2
  • Frederica S. Wilson D-FL-24
  • Robert J. Wittman R-VA-1