Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (25 Jun 2025): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
What this bill does
**What the bill would do:** S. 2175, the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act, would amend federal aviation law (Title 49, U.S. Code) to restrict how automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data—signals aircraft use to broadcast their position—can be used. It would bar any person or government agency from using ADS-B data to identify an aircraft for the purpose of charging fees, and would limit air traffic controllers to using such data only for tracking and safety/efficiency purposes, or other purposes approved by the Secretary of Transportation after public notice and comment. It would also expand an existing restriction on using ADS-B data in investigations so that it applies not just to the FAA but to other federal, state, local, territorial, and Tribal officials. Separately, the bill would require public-use airports, before charging landing or take-off fees on general aviation aircraft, to publicly disclose cost-cutting efforts, alternative revenue efforts, and details on how fee revenue will be used for airside safety projects, and to assess the fees' impact on general aviation users; such fee revenue could only fund airside safety projects.
**Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects aircraft owners and operators (especially general aviation—personal, recreational, training, and non-scheduled/non-military flights), airport owners and operators, air traffic controllers, the FAA, and other government agencies or officials who might access ADS-B data for enforcement or fee purposes.
**Status and next steps:** The bill was introduced June 25, 2025, by Senator Ted Budd with two cosponsors, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It has not yet been voted on; the committee would need to review and advance it before further Senate or House action could occur.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
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 aviation aircraft (e.g., aircraft used for personal, recreational, or flight training purposes). Further, any revenue from these fees may only be used for airside safety projects.
Timeline
25 Jun 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Common questions
- What does S. 2175 do?
- **What the bill would do:** S. 2175, the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act, would amend federal aviation law (Title 49, U.S. Code) to restrict how automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data—signals aircraft use to broadcast their position—can be used. It would bar any person or government agency from using ADS-B data to identify an aircraft for the purpose of charging fees, and would limit air traffic controllers to using such data only for tracking and safety/efficiency purposes, or other purposes approved by the Secretary of Transportation after public notice and comment. It would also expand an existing restriction on using ADS-B data in investigations so that it applies not just to the FAA but to other federal, state, local, territorial, and Tribal officials. Separately, the bill would require public-use airports, before charging landing or take-off fees on general aviation aircraft, to publicly disclose cost-cutting efforts, alternative revenue efforts, and details on how fee revenue will be used for airside safety projects, and to assess the fees' impact on general aviation users; such fee revenue could only fund airside safety projects. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects aircraft owners and operators (especially general aviation—personal, recreational, training, and non-scheduled/non-military flights), airport owners and operators, air traffic controllers, the FAA, and other government agencies or officials who might access ADS-B data for enforcement or fee purposes. **Status and next steps:** The bill was introduced June 25, 2025, by Senator Ted Budd with two cosponsors, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It has not yet been voted on; the committee would need to review and advance it before further Senate or House action could occur.
- Has S. 2175 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 2175. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 2175?
- S. 2175 was sponsored by Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC] (R-NC), with 3 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 2175?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (25 Jun 2025).
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