Full Committee Markup - ALERT Act

The U.S. House Armed Services Committee held a markup session on March 27, 2026, to consider HR 7613, the Airspace Location Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act of 2026. The legislation aims to improve aviation safety by implementing all 13 recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) following a fatal mid-air collision involving a military helicopter and a passenger jet near Reagan National Airport. Key provisions include requiring military rotary aircraft to use automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) technology, enhancing information sharing between the FAA and Department of Defense, and strengthening safety management systems. Several amendments were adopted en bloc, including reporting requirements for the Department of Defense on training flights, near-miss incidents, and use of ADS-B exceptions. The committee unanimously voted to report the bill favorably to the House, with provisions to ensure congressional oversight and transparency regarding exceptions for classified military flights. The markup emphasized balancing aviation safety improvements with national security concerns and included commitments to ongoing oversight to prevent future tragedies.