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S-2503 119th Congress

ROTOR Act

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 264 - 133 (Roll no. 72).

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. House
  4. Senate
  5. President
  6. Law

Official Summary

Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act or the ROTOR 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 information) between aircraft and air traffic control. Under the bill, aircraft must generally operate with ADS-B In equipment to provide the aircraft with location information of other aircraft and traffic advisories. Current law does not require this equipment. Current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations allow aircraft performing a sensitive government mission to be excepted from requirements for using ADS-B Out equipment. This bill limits which flights may be considered sensitive government missions (e.g., not training flights) and requires additional reporting and notifications for the exception. The Government Accountability Office must review the use of the ADS-B Out exception and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Transportation must annually audit FAA oversight of operations that use the exception. Further, the bill repeals a 2025 law that exempts certain military helicopters from the ADS-B Out requirements for the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. The bill also requires the OIG of the Army to audit the Army’s coordination with the FAA, the FAA to establish an office to coordinate airspace usage of military aircraft and review the safety of flight operations and routes around airports, and the FAA to enter into memoranda of understanding with military agencies for safety information sharing.

Actions

  1. Feb 24, 2026 · House
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 264 - 133 (Roll no. 72).
  2. Feb 24, 2026 · House
    Failed of passage/not agreed to in House On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 264 - 133 (Roll no. 72).
  3. Feb 24, 2026 · House
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2277)
  4. Feb 23, 2026 · House
    At 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.
  5. Feb 23, 2026 · House
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2503.
  6. Feb 23, 2026 · House
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2248-2257)
  7. Feb 23, 2026 · House
    Mr. Graves moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  8. Dec 18, 2025 · House
    Held at the desk.
  9. Dec 18, 2025 · House
    Received in the House.
  10. Dec 18, 2025 · Senate
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  11. Dec 17, 2025 · Senate
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S8813-8817)
  12. Dec 17, 2025 · House
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
  13. Dec 17, 2025 · Senate
    The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
  14. Dec 17, 2025 · Senate
    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8811-8817)
  15. Nov 18, 2025 · Senate
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 269.
  16. Nov 18, 2025 · Senate
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
  17. Nov 18, 2025 · House
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
  18. Oct 21, 2025 · Senate
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
  19. Jul 29, 2025 · Senate
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  20. Jul 29, 2025 · House
    Introduced in Senate

Roll Call Votes

Full Text & Official Record

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