Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (22 Jul 2026): Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
What this bill does
S. 1759, the Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act, would direct the Federal Aviation Administration to update its rules—including the existing regulation that generally bars civil aircraft from exceeding the speed of sound over land—to permit civil supersonic flight in U.S. airspace without requiring special government authorization, provided the aircraft is flown in a way that no sonic boom reaches the ground. The FAA would have one year from enactment to issue or revise the necessary regulations.
The bill primarily affects aircraft manufacturers and operators developing or planning to operate supersonic civil aircraft, as well as the FAA, which would bear responsibility for writing new rules. Communities and the general public could be affected indirectly, since the bill's approach is meant to permit faster civil flight while avoiding sonic booms reaching the ground, rather than lifting the current speed restriction outright.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on May 14, 2025, by Senator Ted Budd along with several cosponsors, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. On July 22, 2026, the committee ordered the bill reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. It would next need to be considered by the full Senate, and, if passed, by the House of Representatives, before it could be sent to the President.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act
This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to allow civil aircraft to operate at speeds above Mach 1 (i.e., supersonic) over land in the United States under certain conditions.
Specifically, the FAA must issue or revise regulations to allow for the operation of civil aircraft at speeds greater than Mach 1 in the national airspace system without a special authorization, so long as no sonic boom reaches the ground in the United States.
Current regulations prohibit civil aircraft from operating above Mach 1 speeds over land in the United States without a special flight authorization issued by the FAA.
Timeline
22 Jul 2026
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Common questions
- What does S. 1759 do?
- S. 1759, the Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act, would direct the Federal Aviation Administration to update its rules—including the existing regulation that generally bars civil aircraft from exceeding the speed of sound over land—to permit civil supersonic flight in U.S. airspace without requiring special government authorization, provided the aircraft is flown in a way that no sonic boom reaches the ground. The FAA would have one year from enactment to issue or revise the necessary regulations. The bill primarily affects aircraft manufacturers and operators developing or planning to operate supersonic civil aircraft, as well as the FAA, which would bear responsibility for writing new rules. Communities and the general public could be affected indirectly, since the bill's approach is meant to permit faster civil flight while avoiding sonic booms reaching the ground, rather than lifting the current speed restriction outright. The bill was introduced in the Senate on May 14, 2025, by Senator Ted Budd along with several cosponsors, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. On July 22, 2026, the committee ordered the bill reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. It would next need to be considered by the full Senate, and, if passed, by the House of Representatives, before it could be sent to the President.
- Has S. 1759 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 1759. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 1759?
- S. 1759 was sponsored by Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC] (R-NC), with 5 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 1759?
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. (22 Jul 2026).
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