S. 2175 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jun 25, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryProtects pilot and aircraft location data
This bill puts limits on how aircraft tracking information can be used. Specifically, it stops the FAA and government agencies from using ADS-B data (a system that broadcasts aircraft location and weather information) to identify an aircraft and charge its owner or operator a fee. It also requires that air traffic controllers use this data only for tracking aircraft and improving safety. Additionally, the bill expands a current rule so that federal, state, local, and tribal officials can't start non-criminal investigations of someone based solely on this tracking data. For airports that charge general aviation aircraft (like small planes used for personal flying or training), the bill requires them to publicly share financial details about safety projects before imposing fees, and limits how those fees can be spent.
How it affects you
Pilots and small aircraft owners are directly affected—the bill prevents authorities from using aircraft tracking data to identify them for charging fees. Airport operators and general aviation users also see changes, as airports must be more transparent about how they spend landing and takeoff fees. Most other people won't feel a direct impact from this bill.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jun 25, 2025)
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.
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 SessionS. 2175
A BILL
Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act
Sponsor: Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) · 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 25, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.”