Senate committee lays over bill that would ban use of ADS‑B tracking for fee collection after safety, revenue debate

The Senate Aeronautics and Transportation Committee on Tuesday laid over Senate Bill 19‑50 after members and witnesses debated whether the automatic dependent surveillance‑broadcast (ADS‑B) system should be used to collect landing or property fees.

Senator Logan, the bill’s author, said the measure does not prevent airports from charging fees but would prohibit using ADS‑B geolocation data to calculate or collect those fees. An amendment removing an unrelated weight provision was adopted by voice vote before the committee heard testimony and questions.

Tom Chandler of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association told the committee that reliance on ADS‑B for fee collection has safety consequences. “Pilots are actually opting to either not equip their aircraft with this important safety equipment,” Chandler said, noting that about 60 percent of the fleet currently carries ADS‑B and warning that some pilots may turn equipment off to avoid fees.

Grace Sonartes, executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, said the state’s existing compliance mechanism relies on FAA registration downloads but that geolocation systems have been used elsewhere to identify aircraft based in a state for tax purposes. Sonartes estimated Oklahoma may be missing roughly $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 a year from aircraft that are physically based in the state but registered out of state.

Committee members pressed witnesses on tradeoffs between encouraging wider ADS‑B participation to maximize safety and the state’s interest in collecting fees and excise taxes. Supporters of the bill argued prohibiting ADS‑B for fee collection would reduce the incentive for pilots to disable the equipment, improving safety. Opponents and some members said third‑party tracking can help enforce existing, voluntary tax and fee obligations.

At the author’s request, the committee laid the bill over for further consideration rather than advancing it; the author said he will continue discussions with stakeholders and the aeronautics department.

The committee did not take a final vote on the policy question of banning ADS‑B for fee collection; SB 19‑50 will return to committee at a later date.