Bill would limit when government planes can hide from radar tracking

What does this do?

HR 7240 would require the FAA to narrowly define "sensitive government mission" so aircraft can only disable ADS-B Out tracking during the specific portion of a flight where sensitive activities occur, not for an entire flight. Government agencies would have to file regular reports with the FAA for each flight where tracking was disabled, including location, time, and reason. The FAA would report that data to Congress every six months, and if an agency disables tracking five or more times in one month, Congress must be notified within two weeks.

Who does it affect?

The bill primarily affects federal agencies such as the Department of Defense, as well as state, local, and tribal agencies that fly aircraft on sensitive government missions. Private pilots and commercial airlines are not directly affected.

Why does it matter?

Current FAA rules allow government aircraft to disable tracking for an entire flight even if only part of it involves sensitive work, leaving the exemption open to broad use without a clear standard. The bill would add GAO review of how the exemption has been used and annual audits by the Transportation Department's Inspector General beginning three years after passage.

Where does it stand?