PAPA Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 4146
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Transportation and Public Works
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-06-26: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Last Updated: 2026-05-04T18:53:40Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act of 2025 (PAPA Act) aims to protect the privacy of aircraft owners and operators by restricting the use of data from Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) systems—technology that tracks aircraft locations in real-time. It also regulates how airports can impose fees on general aviation aircraft (non-commercial flights like personal or training use) to prevent unfair charges and ensure fees support airport safety.

Key Provisions

Restrictions on ADS-B Data Use (Section 2):
Prohibits any person, government agency, or entity from using ADS-B data to identify aircraft and generate revenue from owners or operators without their explicit consent.
Allows air traffic controllers to use ADS-B data solely for tracking aircraft, enhancing safety, and improving traffic efficiency.
Permits other uses only if the Secretary of Transportation approves them after public notice and comment, ensuring consistency with privacy protections.

Broadened Limits on ADS-B Data (Section 3):
Expands existing restrictions in U.S. law (49 U.S.C. § 46101(c)) to prevent not only the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator but also any federal, state, local, territorial, or Tribal officials from misusing ADS-B data in ways that violate the bill's privacy rules.

Regulations on Fees for General Aviation Aircraft (Section 4):
Requires public-use airport owners or operators to publicly disclose, before imposing landing or takeoff fees on general aviation aircraft:
Efforts to cut non-safety-related (non-airside) expenses.
Attempts to find revenue from sources other than these aircraft.
Estimated costs and timelines for airside safety projects (e.g., runways, taxiways) funded by the fees, including the portion or percentage from these fees.
An evaluation of how fees might harm local general aviation activities, pilots, students, nonprofits, and businesses.
Limits fee revenue to airside safety projects only.
Authorizes the FAA Administrator to create rules or reporting requirements to enforce this.
Defines "general aviation aircraft" as those used for personal, recreational, flight training, or non-scheduled commercial/military purposes.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Amends 49 U.S.C. § 46101(c) to extend ADS-B data misuse prohibitions beyond the FAA to all levels of government officials, broadening enforcement.
Adds a new section (49 U.S.C. § 40133) to Chapter 401 of Title 49, introducing mandatory transparency and restrictions on airport fees for general aviation—previously unregulated in this detail—while tying fees strictly to safety uses and requiring impact assessments.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: The FAA and other officials face stricter limits on data use, potentially reducing revenue opportunities but enhancing air traffic safety focus. Airports must increase transparency, which could slow fee implementations but promote accountability.
On Citizens: Protects privacy for general aviation users (e.g., private pilots, flight students) by curbing unwanted tracking for fees, making flying more affordable and less burdensome. Nonprofits and small businesses reliant on general aviation may benefit from reduced fee impacts.
On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could indirectly affect U.S. aviation standards in international airspace by emphasizing privacy in ADS-B systems shared globally.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Aircraft Owners and Operators: Gain privacy protections against revenue-driven tracking and more predictable airport fees.
General Aviation Community: Includes pilots, flight training students, recreational users, nonprofits, and local businesses—benefit from fee impact assessments and restricted uses.
Airports and Operators: Face new disclosure and usage rules, potentially limiting revenue but requiring focus on safety.
Government Entities: FAA, air traffic controllers, and officials at all levels must comply with expanded prohibitions and approvals.
Air Traffic System Users: Commercial and military aviation indirectly supported by preserved ADS-B for safety.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Strengthens data privacy in aviation by limiting commercial exploitation of government-collected tracking data, potentially setting precedents for similar protections in other transport sectors. The public comment requirement for new ADS-B uses aligns with administrative law principles for transparency.
Constitutional: Supports privacy rights under the Fourth Amendment (protection against unreasonable searches) by restricting government and private use of surveillance-like ADS-B data without consent, though it carves out exceptions for public safety.
Political: Favors the general aviation sector—a key interest group for rural economies and training—over airport revenue needs, which could spark debates on balancing safety funding with user protections. As an introduced bill (H.R. 4146, 119th Congress), it reflects priorities in transportation policy but requires committee approval to advance.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Onder, Robert F. [R-MO-3]

Cosponsors (9)

Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4], Rep. Hern, Kevin [R-OK-1], Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18], Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large], Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]

Recent Actions

2025-06-26: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
2025-06-25: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
2025-06-25: Introduced in House
2025-06-25: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-25 — PDF (4 pages)