House committee backs bill to bar ADS‑B data from being used to levy aircraft taxes or fees

The committee voted to report House Bill 7‑30 with amendments after Representative Cruz argued ADS‑B, a GPS‑based safety surveillance system, should not be used as a tool to identify aircraft for taxation or fee collection. Cruz said the technology was promoted for safety and warned that financial penalties tied to ADS‑B use might encourage pilots to disable the equipment.

Cruz described the bill’s intent: “It prohibits any person or entity from using ADS‑B broadcast or collected data as a basis for collecting, generating, or collecting fees or taxes for aircraft owners.” The committee adopted an amendment narrowing the ban to aircraft with a maximum certified takeoff weight of 12,000–12,500 pounds or less to exclude larger air carriers and aircraft that are already subject to other reporting requirements.

Members asked how enforcement would work and whether the bill would hamper airports’ ability to count traffic for federal funding. Cruz said the measure would not prevent airports from collecting landing fees by other means and that he is working with the Louisiana Airport Managers Association to address operational concerns. He also cited a safety example from recent travel where ADS‑B helped him avoid another aircraft in low visibility.

With technical amendments adopted, the committee reported HB 7‑30 with amendments and signaled continued work with assessors and airport managers on implementation language before floor consideration.