The United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has approved the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act, requiring all aircraft and helicopters to be equipped with ADS-B In technology by the end of 2031.

This aviation safety legislation was introduced in July after the January mid-air collision between a CRJ700 operated by PSA Airlines, flying on behalf of American Airlines, and a United States Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter killing 67 people near Washington National.

Senator Ted Cruz, chair of the committee, said the bill “closes a dangerous loophole that allowed military aircraft to operate in domestic skies without communicating their position quickly and accurately to other aviators like commercial aircraft do.”

The legislation also directs the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct more in-depth safety reviews at airports with nearby helicopter traffic, better coordinate communication between the FAA and the Pentagon, and compile a review for systemic failures that may have contributed to the January crash at DCA.

The bill still has to go through the regular legislative process in Congress before becoming law.