What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act This bill limits how Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data may be used by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and government agencies. The bill also establishes disclosure requirements for certain user fees imposed on general aviation aircraft at public-use airports and limits the purposes for which the fees may be used. As background, ADS-B transmits information (e.g., location and weather information) between aircraft and air traffic control. The bill prohibits a person or government agency from using ADS-B data to identify an aircraft in order to assess a fee or otherwise impose a charge on the aircraft owner or operator. The bill also specifies that air traffic controllers may only use ADS-B data to assist in tracking aircraft and improving air traffic safety and efficiency, or for other purposes determined appropriate by the Department of Transportation after notice and public comment. Further, the bill prohibits any federal, state, local, territorial, or tribal official from initiating an investigation (excluding a criminal investigation) of a person based exclusively on ADS-B data. Under current law, this prohibition only applies to the FAA. In addition, owners and operators of public-use airports must publicly disclose financial information about certain expenses and cost estimates for airside safety projects (e.g., runway or taxiway safety improvements) prior to charging landing or takeoff fees for general aviati
Action Timeline
2025-06-25
Introduced in Senate
2025-06-25
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did S.2175 pass?
S.2175 is still alive. Current stage: COMMITTEE. Pass likelihood: pending.
What does S.2175 do?
Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act This bill limits how Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data may be used by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and government agencies. The bill also establishes disclosure requirements for certain user fees imposed on general aviation aircraft at public-use airports and limits the purposes for which the fees may be used. As background, ADS-B transmits information (e.g., location and weather information) between aircraft and air traffic control. The bill prohibits a person or government agency from using ADS-B data to identify an aircraft i…
Who sponsored S.2175?
S.2175 was sponsored by Ted Budd (R-North Carolina).
Full Bill Text
119 S2175 IS: Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act U.S. Senate 2025-06-25 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2175 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 25 (legislative day, June 24), 2025 Mr. Budd (for himself, Mr. Sullivan , and Mr. Sheehy ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To establish requirements and limitations regarding the use of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast data, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act . 2. Use of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast data (a) In general Chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 44749. Use of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast data (a) Limitation on use of ADS–B data No person (including a government agency) may use automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast data to identify any aircraft in order to assess a fee or otherwise impose a charge on the owner or operator of such aircraft. (b) Use by air traffic controllers An air traffic controller may only use automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast data— (1) to assist in tracking aircraft and improving air traffic safety and efficiency; or (2) for any other purpose determined appropriate by the Secretary of Transportation after notice and an opportunity for public comment. . (b) Clerical amendment The analysis for chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 44748 the following: 44749. Use of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast data. . 3. Limitation on use of ADS–B data in investigations Section 46101(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking the Administrator of the Federal Aviation may not and inserting neither the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration nor any other Federal, State, local, territorial, or Tribal official may . 4. Imposition of fees on general aviation aircraft (a) In general Chapter 401 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 40133. Imposition of fees on general aviation aircraft (a) Disclosure required Prior to imposing a landing or take-off fee on any general aviation aircraft (as defined in subsection (d)), the owner or operator of a public-use airport (as defined in section 47102) shall make available to the public the following information: (1) Any efforts the airport owner or operator has undertaken to reduce non-airside related expenses. (2) Any efforts the airport owner or operator has undertaken to obtain revenues from sources other than general aviation aircraft. (3) The total cost estimate of the airside safety projects that the airport owner or operator plans to undertake, the amount or percentage of the fees imposed on general aviation aircraft that will be used to pay for such project, and an estimated timeline to collect such amount. (4) An assessment of the impact of any fees on the health and vitality of general aviation and on the pilots, students, charities, and businesses that support or rely on general aviation in the area of the airport. (b) Restriction on use of funds Any revenues derived from fees imposed on general aviation aircraft may only be used for airside safety projects. (c) Rulemaking and reporting The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may promulgate such regulations or impose such reporting requirements as may be necessary to carry out this section. (d) General aviation aircraft defined For purposes of this section, the term general aviation aircraft means an aircraft that is being used for— (1) personal, recreational, or flight training purposes; or (2) purposes other than scheduled airline operations or military flights. . (b) Clerical amendment The analysis for chapter 401 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 40132 the following: 40133. Imposition of fees on general aviation aircraft. .
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