H.R. 4146 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Jun 25, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryLimits how aircraft location data can be used
Aircraft broadcast location and weather information to air traffic control through a system called ADS-B. This bill restricts how the FAA and other government agencies can use that data. It says they can't use it to charge aircraft owners fees, and air traffic controllers can only use it for safety and efficiency. The bill also requires airports to publicly share financial details before charging general aviation aircraft landing fees, and says those fees can only go toward safety improvements.
How it affects you
If you own or operate a general aviation aircraft (used for personal flying, recreation, or flight training), this bill affects you by limiting fees airports can charge you and requiring airports to be transparent about how they spend that money. Pilots and aircraft owners also get added privacy protections—government agencies can't start investigations based solely on your aircraft's location data. Most other people won't see direct changes from this bill.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jun 25, 2025)
Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act or the PAPA Act of 2025
This bill limits how Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data may be used by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other 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 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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 4146
A BILL
PAPA Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Robert F. Onder (R-MO-3) · Introduced Jun 25, 2025 · Transportation and Public Works · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jun 26, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.”