Requires the FAA to buy and install certified airborne position reference tools at contract air traffic control towers that lack Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems or other situational awareness tools, within one year of enactment.

Official title: Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act

Next stop Senate floor: awaiting a vote

Timeline each lane is a chamber; dates pull from congress.gov actions

Senate

Introduced 26-FEB-2026

Referred 26-FEB-2026

Approved by committee 16-SEP-2026

Key points

Requires the FAA to acquire and install certified Airborne Position Reference Tools at contract towers that lack Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems or other situational awareness tools, within one year.
Amends the contract tower program so the Secretary of Transportation purchases, installs, and maintains a Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System, or an equivalent system, at qualifying towers within one year.
Requires the Secretary to reimburse airport sponsors and towers that bought qualifying situational awareness systems on their own before the FAA installs its equipment.
Requires a training program, set up with contract tower operators, to teach air traffic controllers how to use the new situational awareness equipment.

AI-generated from the Introduced in Senate text of 26-FEB-2026 · verify · report an error

Official CRS summary

No CRS summary yet. CRS writes one for most bills, often months after they move.

CRS is the Library of Congress's nonpartisan research office. Check on congress.gov

Committee referrals (1)

Policy area

Transportation and Public Works

Sponsor Tim Sheehy (R-MT) Cosponsors · 3

■ 2 D■ 1 R

2 Democrats

1 Republican

congress.gov page Introduced in Senate (26-FEB-2026)