Bill · H.R. 8597· House(119-HR-8597)
Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act
- Introduced
- 4/30/2026
- Last activity
- 9/15/2026 — Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- Sponsored by
- Nicholas Begich
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 1
- Introduced
What this bill would do
The Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act requires the FAA Administrator to acquire and install certified airborne position reference tools at specific air traffic control towers. This applies to towers operating under contract that currently lack Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems or other situational awareness tools. The bill also mandates the purchase, installation, and maintenance of these systems or equivalent ones by the Secretary. Additionally, it requires the establishment of training programs for air traffic controllers to ensure they can use the new technology efficiently. Finally, the bill provides for the reimbursement of airport sponsors or towers that independently acquired such systems.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Equipment for Air Traffic Control: The bill requires the installation of certified Airborne Position Reference Tools and Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems at towers currently lacking these tools (Section 2(a) and Section 2(b)). This aims to improve situational awareness for air traffic control operations.
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Training for Controllers: The bill mandates the creation of training programs, in consultation with contract tower operators, to ensure air traffic controllers are properly trained to use new situational awareness equipment and technology (Section 2(c)).
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Financial Reimbursement: The Secretary of Transportation is required to provide reimbursement to airport sponsors or air traffic control towers that independently acquired and installed certified situational awareness systems or tools prior to the government's installation (Section 2(d)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
No significant interests or groups are affected by this bill.
- 9/15/2026
- Subcommittee on Aviation Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 6/25/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/1/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
- 4/30/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Laura GillenDemocrat · New York
Kimberlyn King-HindsRepublican · Northern Mariana Islands
Troy NehlsRepublican · Texas