1. Executive Summary
H.R. 7613 instructs the FAA to develop rules requiring new collision-avoidance technology for certain aircraft, mandates the closure of a specific helicopter route, and updates air traffic control training and scheduling requirements.
2. What This Bill Would Do
Directs Rulemaking for Equipment: Requires the FAA to initiate a formal regulatory process (rulemaking) to mandate that "selected aircraft" and helicopters install advanced Airborne Collision Avoidance Systems (ACAS Xa and Xr) which process satellite-based location data.
Statutorily Mandates Route Closure: Directs the FAA to permanently close "Helicopter Route 4" and establishes a recurring annual review of helicopter flight charts to assess their interaction with airport traffic.
Prescribes Training and Duty Limits: Requires the FAA to provide instructor-led training for controllers on "Threat and Error Management" (a safety framework for identifying and responding to potential mistakes) and sets limits on "time-on-position" (the continuous duration a controller spends managing active traffic).
Establishes Data Reporting Processes: Directs a working group to create a standard definition for "close proximity encounters" (near-miss events) and mandates a database to notify pilots and operators when such events are detected.
Updates Military-Civilian Coordination: Requires the Department of Defense to revise agreements with the Department of Transportation to ensure non-combat military aircraft use collision-avoidance technology compatible with civilian systems.
3. Who is Affected
Commercial and Regional Air Carriers: Responsible for the significant capital costs of purchasing and installing new avionics (aviation electronics) to meet future FAA standards. Large carriers may have more resources to absorb these costs compared to smaller regional operators.
Rotorcraft (Helicopter) Operators: Impacted by equipment mandates and the operational necessity of rerouting flights due to the closure of Helicopter Route 4.
Avionics Manufacturers and Suppliers: Will face new technical requirements for the hardware and software systems they develop for the aviation market.
Air Traffic Controllers and the FAA: The FAA must manage the administrative and fiscal burden of new rulemaking and database oversight; controllers will be subject to new mandatory training and potential changes to their work shifts.
General Aviation and Military: Pilots of non-combat military aircraft and certain private planes will be required to meet enhanced equipment standards when operating in civilian airspace.
4. Existing Law vs. What Would Change
Feature | Existing Law | Change under H.R. 7613 |
Equipment Mandates | FAA currently sets equipment standards via Technical Standard Orders (TSOs). | Directs the FAA to issue a specific rule mandating the transition to ACAS Xa/Xr technology. |
Helicopter Route 4 | Route 4 is an active flight path utilized by rotorcraft. | Provides a statutory directive for the FAA to close the route. |
Controller Protocols | Training and duty durations are largely managed through FAA internal agency policy. | Places specific training topics and duty-duration limits into federal law. |
Incident Definition | Definitions of near-misses can vary between agencies and reporting systems. | Establishes a formal process to create a single, uniform definition for reporting. |
5. Fiscal and Compliance Impact Summary
Government Fiscal Impact: According to the CBO Report, the FAA's administrative costs for implementation are expected to change direct spending and revenues by less than $500,000 each.
Private Sector Compliance: The bill shifts the primary financial burden to the private sector. Aircraft owners must pay for equipment upgrades, certification, and the "opportunity cost" of aircraft downtime during the installation of new systems. These costs may disproportionately affect smaller operators with lower profit margins.
Implementation Links: Full Bill Text (H.R. 7613)
Uncertain Provisions for Human Review:
Uncertain Provisions for Human Review:
6. Key Terms and Definitions
Term | Definition |
ACAS X (a & r) | The next-generation Airborne Collision Avoidance System. "Xa" is designed for general commercial aviation, while "Xr" is optimized for rotorcraft (helicopters) and vertical-takeoff aircraft. |
ADS-B | Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast. A technology where aircraft determine their position via satellite navigation and periodically broadcast it, allowing them to be tracked by other aircraft and air traffic control. |
Avionics | A category of electronic systems and hardware used on aircraft, including communications, navigation, and the display and management of multiple systems. |
Rulemaking | The formal process used by federal agencies like the FAA to create, amend, or repeal regulations. This process typically includes a period for public notice and comment. |
Time-on-Position | The specific duration of time an air traffic controller spends actively managing a "position" (a specific sector of airspace or a runway) before a mandatory break or rotation. |
Threat and Error Management (TEM) | A safety framework used in aviation that focuses on helping pilots and controllers anticipate and manage potential risks before they lead to an incident. |
Visual Separation | A method used by air traffic controllers to keep aircraft spaced apart by having the controller see the aircraft or having one pilot see and maintain distance from another aircraft. |
Rotorcraft | An aircraft that derives its lift from rotating wings or blades; most commonly refers to helicopters. |
7. Sources
Legislative Text
H.R. 7613 – ALERT Act: House of Representatives, 119th Congress, 2d Session. As considered under suspension of the rules.
Fiscal and Budgetary Data
Congressional Budget Office (CBO): Cost Estimate for Suspensions for the Week of April 13, 2026.
Legislative Schedules
House Majority Leader: Weekly Schedule for the Week of April 13, 2026 (majorityleader.gov).
United States House of Representatives: Daily Activities and Prayer Log (April 13, 2026).
United States Senate: Committee Hearings and Meetings Schedule (senate.gov).
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