Close proximity encounters

(a) In general Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a working group to make recommendations on— (1) an objective definition of close proximity encounters; (2) associated parameters that can be used to monitor the prevalence of such encounters and identify areas of potential traffic conflict for safety assurance and safety risk management for such encounters; and (3) making publicly available aggregated information about all such encounters, including date and location. (b) Considerations In carrying out subsection (a), the working group shall consider— (1) existing airborne separation rules and required loss of airborne separation reporting requirements; (2) the development of a definition of, and associated parameters for, close proximity encounter events; (3) data gathered from aviation safety reporting systems and reports, including the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing Program, the Aviation Safety Action Program, the Performance Data Analysis and Reporting System, the Aviation Risk Identification and Assessment (ARIA) system, preliminary ARIA reports, the Air Traffic Safety Action Program, the Aviation Safety Reporting System, the Near Midair Collision System, mandatory occurrence reports, and other relevant systems and reports; (4) National Transportation Safety Board aviation investigation report AIR–26–02, adopted on January 27, 2026; (5) FAA risk assessment guidance, policies, and regulations in place prior to the date of enactment of this Act; (6) best practices or similar relevant risk assessment tools and methods used by foreign civil aviation authorities; and (7) any other factors determined relevant by the working group. (c) Membership The working group shall consist of the following: (1) Appointed members The following members appointed by the Administrator: (A) 2 representatives of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration with expertise in safety data. (B) 5 appropriately qualified representatives of aviation labor organizations (designated by the applicable represented organization), including— (i) organizations representing certified collective bargaining representatives of airline pilots; (ii) the exclusive bargaining representatives of FAA air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code; (iii) organizations representing helicopter operators and pilots, including law enforcement and air ambulance operators; and (iv) organizations representing general aviation operators and pilots. (C) Not fewer than 5 independent subject matter experts in safety management systems and safety data who— (i) have not served as a political appointee in the Administration; and (ii) have a minimum of 10 years of relevant applied experience. (D) 2 air carrier employees whose job responsibilities include administration of a safety management system. (E) 2 individuals representing holders of a certificate issued under part 21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, whose job responsibilities include administration of a safety management system. (F) 2 other representatives from the aerospace industry that do not meet the criteria described in subparagraph (D) or (E) and who have expertise in safety assurance or safety risk or whose job responsibilities include administration of a safety management system. (G) A career representative from the National Transportation Safety Board with subject matter expertise, as a nonvoting member. (2) Advisory members In addition to the appointed members described in paragraph (1), the working group shall be advised by up to 5 employees of the Administration, at least 3 of whom shall be subject matter experts in implementing safety assurance and safety risk management. (d) Implementation Not later than 30 days after the working group develops recommendations under subsection (a), the Administrator shall make publicly available a report containing the recommendations and describing how the Administrator will implement such recommendations.

(a) In general Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a working group to make recommendations on— (1) an objective definition of close proximity encounters; (2) associated parameters that can be used to monitor the prevalence of such encounters and identify areas of potential traffic conflict for safety assurance and safety risk management for such encounters; and (3) making publicly available aggregated information about all such encounters, including date and location. (b) Considerations In carrying out subsection (a), the working group shall consider— (1) existing airborne separation rules and required loss of airborne separation reporting requirements; (2) the development of a definition of, and associated parameters for, close proximity encounter events; (3) data gathered from aviation safety reporting systems and reports, including the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing Program, the Aviation Safety Action Program, the Performance Data Analysis and Reporting System, the Aviation Risk Identification and Assessment (ARIA) system, preliminary ARIA reports, the Air Traffic Safety Action Program, the Aviation Safety Reporting System, the Near Midair Collision System, mandatory occurrence reports, and other relevant systems and reports; (4) National Transportation Safety Board aviation investigation report AIR–26–02, adopted on January 27, 2026; (5) FAA risk assessment guidance, policies, and regulations in place prior to the date of enactment of this Act; (6) best practices or similar relevant risk assessment tools and methods used by foreign civil aviation authorities; and (7) any other factors determined relevant by the working group. (c) Membership The working group shall consist of the following: (1) Appointed members The following members appointed by the Administrator: (A) 2 representatives of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration with expertise in safety data. (B) 5 appropriately qualified representatives of aviation labor organizations (designated by the applicable represented organization), including— (i) organizations representing certified collective bargaining representatives of airline pilots; (ii) the exclusive bargaining representatives of FAA air traffic controllers certified under section 7111 of title 5, United States Code; (iii) organizations representing helicopter operators and pilots, including law enforcement and air ambulance operators; and (iv) organizations representing general aviation operators and pilots. (C) Not fewer than 5 independent subject matter experts in safety management systems and safety data who— (i) have not served as a political appointee in the Administration; and (ii) have a minimum of 10 years of relevant applied experience. (D) 2 air carrier employees whose job responsibilities include administration of a safety management system. (E) 2 individuals representing holders of a certificate issued under part 21 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, whose job responsibilities include administration of a safety management system. (F) 2 other representatives from the aerospace industry that do not meet the criteria described in subparagraph (D) or (E) and who have expertise in safety assurance or safety risk or whose job responsibilities include administration of a safety management system. (G) A career representative from the National Transportation Safety Board with subject matter expertise, as a nonvoting member. (2) Advisory members In addition to the appointed members described in paragraph (1), the working group shall be advised by up to 5 employees of the Administration, at least 3 of whom shall be subject matter experts in implementing safety assurance and safety risk management. (d) Implementation Not later than 30 days after the working group develops recommendations under subsection (a), the Administrator shall make publicly available a report containing the recommendations and describing how the Administrator will implement such recommendations.