Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act
Latest action (15 Sep 2026): Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
What this bill does
H.R. 8597, the Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act, would require the FAA Administrator to acquire and install certified Airborne Position Reference Tools within one year at contract-operated air traffic control towers that currently lack Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems (STARS) or similar situational-awareness equipment. It also amends existing law to require the FAA to purchase, install, and maintain STARS or equivalent systems—using manufacturer or FAA services—at such towers within the same one-year timeframe, and to set up a training program for controllers on the new equipment. The bill further directs the Secretary of Transportation to reimburse airport sponsors or towers that already independently purchased and installed qualifying systems before the FAA's own installation, and authorizes FAA funding to cover acquisition, installation, and annual operating costs for these tools.
The bill primarily affects airports and air traffic control towers operating under the FAA's Contract Tower Program, particularly smaller facilities without modern automation systems, as well as the controllers who work there and the airport sponsors who fund tower operations.
The bill was introduced in the House on April 30, 2026, by Rep. Nicholas Begich III with two cosponsors, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. On September 15, 2026, the committee ordered it reported, as amended, by voice vote. It would next need to be considered by the full House before proceeding to the Senate.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
The committees assigned to this bill sent it to the House or Senate as a whole for consideration on September 15, 2026.
Timeline
15 Sep 2026
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 8597 do?
- H.R. 8597, the Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act, would require the FAA Administrator to acquire and install certified Airborne Position Reference Tools within one year at contract-operated air traffic control towers that currently lack Standard Terminal Automation Replacement Systems (STARS) or similar situational-awareness equipment. It also amends existing law to require the FAA to purchase, install, and maintain STARS or equivalent systems—using manufacturer or FAA services—at such towers within the same one-year timeframe, and to set up a training program for controllers on the new equipment. The bill further directs the Secretary of Transportation to reimburse airport sponsors or towers that already independently purchased and installed qualifying systems before the FAA's own installation, and authorizes FAA funding to cover acquisition, installation, and annual operating costs for these tools. The bill primarily affects airports and air traffic control towers operating under the FAA's Contract Tower Program, particularly smaller facilities without modern automation systems, as well as the controllers who work there and the airport sponsors who fund tower operations. The bill was introduced in the House on April 30, 2026, by Rep. Nicholas Begich III with two cosponsors, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. On September 15, 2026, the committee ordered it reported, as amended, by voice vote. It would next need to be considered by the full House before proceeding to the Senate.
- Has H.R. 8597 become law?
- Not yet. As of 15 Sep 2026, H.R. 8597 is ordered reported.
- Who sponsored H.R. 8597?
- H.R. 8597 was sponsored by Rep. Nicholas Begich III [R-AK] (Republican-AK), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 8597?
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote. (15 Sep 2026).
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