HR 8597
Cleared committee
Requires the FAA to install certified airborne position reference tools within one year at contract air traffic control towers that lack Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems or other situational awareness tools.
Official title: Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act
Timeline each lane is a chamber; dates pull from congress.gov actions
House
Introduced
30-APR-2026
Referred
30-APR-2026
Approved by committee
15-SEP-2026
- Requires the FAA to acquire and install certified Airborne Position Reference Tools within one year at contract towers that lack Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems or other situational awareness tools.
- Requires the Secretary of Transportation to purchase and maintain a Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System, or an equivalent, at unequipped contract towers within one year, using manufacturer or FAA services.
- Requires the Secretary to reimburse airport sponsors and towers that bought certified situational awareness systems on their own before the FAA installs its own.
- Requires a training program for contract tower air traffic controllers on the new equipment and adds these tools to the FAA's authorized facilities and equipment spending.
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■ 2 R■ 1 D
2 Republicans
1 Democrat