S. 4990

119 S4990 IS: McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act
 U.S. Senate
 2026-07-15
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 EN
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 II  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  S. 4990  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   July 15, 2026   Mr. Merkley  (for himself,  Mr. Wyden ,  Mr. Kelly ,  Mr. Gallego , and  Mr. Curtis ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation    A BILL
To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to review and update Federal Aviation Administration regulations, policies, and guidance related to low-altitude airspace safety, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act  .
2.
Review of FAA policies and regulations related to low-altitude airspace safety
(a)
Review
(1)
In general
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (referred to in this section as the  Administrator ), in consultation with the stakeholders described in paragraph (3), shall review existing Federal Aviation Administration (referred to in this section as  FAA ) policies and regulations related to low-altitude airspace safety for the purpose of identifying appropriate policy, operational, or technical improvements, such as updated requirements related to markings on slacklines.
(2)
Considerations
In conducting the review required under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consider the following:
(A)
Whether existing FAA policies regarding obstruction marking and lighting clearly identify when slacklines, tight ropes, highlines, wires, and similar temporary obstructions should be marked, lighted, or otherwise identified and whether such policies are effective in reducing the risk of low-altitude aircraft strikes.
(B)
Whether the FAA can improve Notices to Airmen, obstacle data, or other aeronautical information products to better support consistent digital depiction across flight planning tools, electronic flight bags, avionics systems, and other associated tools utilized by industry, including information related to coordinates, radius-distance, maximum height above ground level, effective dates and times, responsible party information, and any marking, lighting, or identification required by the FAA.
(C)
Whether the FAA can improve coordination with relevant Federal, State, Tribal, and local land management agencies, including the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the United States Forest Service, with respect to activities that may create low-altitude aviation hazards.
(D)
Whether the existing penalties for violations of low-altitude airspace requirements are sufficient to ensure the safety of such airspace.
(E)
Suggested improvements to FAA outreach to non-aviation communities whose activities may create hazards in the national airspace system to improve awareness of, and compliance with, applicable requirements and guidance.
(3)
Consultation
For purposes of paragraph (1), the stakeholders described in this paragraph are representatives of the following:
(A)
Helicopter and powered-lift aircraft operators and pilots.
(B)
Air medical operators.
(C)
General aviation pilots and aircraft owners.
(D)
Agricultural aviation operators.
(E)
Uncrewed aircraft system operators.
(F)
Aviation safety experts with specific knowledge of vertical flight operations.
(G)
Any other stakeholder the Administrator determines appropriate.
(b)
Updated regulations, guidance, and policies
If, upon conducting the review required under subsection (a), the Administrator determines that the policies described in subsection (a)(2)(A) do not adequately identify requirements related to markings or lightings for slacklines or other temporary obstructions, the Administrator shall, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, update FAA regulations, guidance, or policies as necessary.
(c)
Briefing
Not later than 90 days after the completion of the review required under subsection (a), the Administrator shall brief the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives regarding—
(1)
the findings of such review;
(2)
the regulations, guidance, or policies to be updated pursuant to subsection (b); and
(3)
any recommendations for legislative action determined appropriate by the Administrator to improve the safety of low-altitude airspace.