Next-Gen Collision Avoidance Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7239
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-28: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-03T08:06:55Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Next-Gen Collision Avoidance Act" (H.R. 7239) aims to improve aviation safety by requiring the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop and submit a detailed action plan to Congress. This plan focuses on speeding up the deployment of advanced collision avoidance technologies, known as Airborne Collision Avoidance System-X (ACAS-X) and its variants, across the U.S. national airspace system.
Key Provisions
- Submission and Publication of Action Plan: Within 180 days of the bill's enactment, the FAA Administrator must submit the action plan to relevant congressional committees (Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure). The plan must be published publicly within 10 days of submission.
- Contents of the Action Plan:
- A strategic roadmap for deploying ACAS-X technologies, including steps for widespread adoption by aircraft operators.
- Details on necessary actions and funding for research, development, testing, evaluation, and standards to support certification of the technology.
- Plans for engaging stakeholders, such as aircraft operators, aviation safety experts, avionics and aircraft manufacturers, general aviation organizations, pilots' unions (including the largest certified bargaining representatives for airline pilots), and others as deemed appropriate by the FAA.
- Coordination with foreign civil aviation authorities to align international certification standards.
- Considerations for how ACAS-X works with existing Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipment (which tracks aircraft positions; "ADS-B Out" broadcasts location data, while "ADS-B In" receives and processes it for traffic awareness), including for rotorcraft (helicopters and similar aircraft).
- An assessment of safety benefits for operators equipping their aircraft with the technology, especially civil (non-military) operators.
- Recommendations for any administrative (agency-level) or legislative (new laws) actions to promote deployment.
- Implementation and Briefing: The FAA may take steps to carry out the plan. Within 30 days of submitting the plan, the Administrator must brief Congress on its contents and planned implementation.
- Definitions: The bill defines key terms, including ADS-B In/Out (avionics for aircraft tracking and awareness), rotorcraft (helicopter-like aircraft), and the relevant congressional committees.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new requirements for the FAA without directly amending prior laws. It mandates proactive planning and reporting on ACAS-X deployment, building on existing FAA regulations for aircraft surveillance (e.g., under 14 CFR Parts 91.225 and 91.227 for ADS-B). No explicit repeals or modifications to current aviation safety rules are included, but it could lead to future updates through the FAA's recommended actions.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The FAA will face increased responsibilities for planning, stakeholder coordination, and congressional reporting, potentially requiring additional resources for research and international efforts. This could streamline FAA certification processes for new safety technologies.
- Citizens: Enhanced collision avoidance systems may reduce mid-air collision risks, improving overall air travel safety for passengers, pilots, and ground communities near airports.
- International Relations: Collaboration with foreign aviation authorities could foster global standards for aircraft safety tech, promoting smoother international flights and trade in aviation equipment without creating new trade barriers.
- Aviation Industry: Operators and manufacturers may see faster adoption of safer, interoperable technologies, but could incur costs for upgrades; safety benefits might offset these through reduced accident risks.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- FAA and Government: Primary implementer, responsible for plan development and execution.
- Aircraft Operators: Airlines, general aviation pilots, and rotorcraft users who must adopt the technology for compliance and safety.
- Manufacturers: Avionics and aircraft producers involved in developing and certifying ACAS-X variants.
- Labor and Safety Groups: Pilots' unions (e.g., the largest certified bargaining representatives) and aviation safety experts providing input on practical deployment.
- General Aviation Organizations: Representing smaller aircraft owners, ensuring broad accessibility.
- Congress: Receives the plan and briefing, with authority to act on recommendations.
- Foreign Aviation Authorities: Engaged for international harmonization, affecting global operators.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens FAA oversight of emerging technologies under its existing authority (e.g., via the Federal Aviation Act), potentially paving the way for mandatory equipage rules if recommendations lead to further legislation. Ensures transparency through public publication and stakeholder input, aligning with administrative law requirements for reasoned decision-making.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; supports the federal government's commerce clause powers over interstate aviation safety without infringing on individual rights.
- Political: Encourages bipartisan focus on aviation modernization, as it involves key committees and labor groups. Could influence future FAA budgets for safety R&D and highlight the need for international cooperation in a global industry, possibly sparking debates on funding priorities amid competing infrastructure needs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-28: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- 2026-01-27: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2026-01-27: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Next-Gen Collision Avoidance Act — issued 2026-01-27 — PDF (5 pages)