Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8597
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-26T08:07:06Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act (H.R. 8597) aims to improve safety and efficiency at certain air traffic control towers by requiring the installation of advanced position-tracking tools and related systems, particularly at smaller airports operated under FAA contracts.
Key Provisions
- Installation Requirement: Within 1 year of enactment, the FAA Administrator must acquire and install certified Airborne Position Reference Tools (devices that provide precise, real-time aircraft location data) at contract-operated air traffic control towers lacking Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems (STARS; advanced radar and automation displays) or equivalent tools.
- STARS Deployment: The Secretary of Transportation must purchase, install, and maintain STARS (or equivalents) at these towers using services from original equipment manufacturers or FAA staff.
- Training Program: FAA must create and run periodic training for contract tower air traffic controllers to ensure proper use of the new equipment.
- Retroactive Reimbursements: Airports or towers that already installed qualifying systems before enactment can receive full reimbursement or retroactive grant funding.
- Funding Authorization: Explicitly allows FAA to use authorized funds for acquiring, installing, and operating these tools at eligible towers.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends 49 U.S.C. § 47124(f)(2) to mandate STARS installation and maintenance at non-equipped contract towers, shifting from prior optional or delayed approaches.
- Revises 49 U.S.C. § 47124(f)(3) to replace prior funding subprovisions with a requirement for a controller training program.
- Adds a new paragraph to 49 U.S.C. § 48101(c) authorizing expenditures specifically for Airborne Position Reference Tools at qualifying towers.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: FAA faces new deadlines, procurement, installation, and maintenance obligations, potentially increasing short-term costs but enhancing long-term operational efficiency.
- Citizens and Aviation Users: Improves situational awareness at smaller airports, likely reducing collision risks and boosting flight safety for passengers, pilots, and ground operations.
- No direct international relations impact noted.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- FAA and Department of Transportation: Primary implementers responsible for procurement, installation, training, and funding.
- Contract Tower Operators and Air Traffic Controllers: Benefit from new tools and required training at ~500 smaller airports in the Contract Tower Program.
- Airport Sponsors: Eligible for reimbursements if they preemptively installed systems.
- Taxpayers and Aviation Industry: Indirectly affected through federal funding allocations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Imposes strict 1-year deadlines with retroactive funding, potentially leading to litigation if unmet; relies on existing FAA grant authorities without new appropriations.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; uses Congress's commerce clause authority over aviation safety.
- Political: Mandates spending on safety upgrades at under-equipped rural/small airports, appealing to constituents in those areas; introduced by bipartisan sponsors focusing on infrastructure equity.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large], Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2026-04-30: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act — issued 2026-04-30 — PDF (5 pages)