H.R. 4146 — PAPA Act of 2025

This section prohibits any person, governmental agency, or other entity from using automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data—real-time GPS-based aircraft position reports broadcast for air traffic surveillance—to identify aircraft for revenue purposes without owner or operator consent. It authorizes air traffic controllers to use ADS-B data for tracking aircraft and improving air traffic safety and efficiency and prohibits other uses unless the Secretary of Transportation determines, after notice and public comment, that such uses are consistent with the section.

This section expands the prohibition on the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data to all Federal, State, local, territorial, and Tribal officials, in addition to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator (previously limited to the FAA Administrator).

This section establishes requirements for public-use airports prior to imposing landing or takeoff fees on general aviation aircraft (i.e., aircraft used for personal, recreational, flight training, or purposes other than scheduled airline operations or military flights). Before imposing such fees, airports must publicly disclose (1) efforts to reduce non-airside expenses, (2) efforts to obtain revenues from non-general aviation sources, (3) cost estimates, fee allocations, and timelines for airside safety projects (i.e., runway, taxiway, and related safety infrastructure), and (4) impacts on general aviation's health and vitality and on affected pilots, students, nonprofits, and businesses. Revenues from such fees may only fund airside safety projects, and the Federal Aviation Administration may issue implementing regulations.