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# Sheehy Bill to Upgrade Rural Air Traffic Technology Clears Senate Committee
- URL: https://www.the406.news/sheehy-bill-to-upgrade-rural-air-traffic-technology-clears-senate-committee/
- Published: 2026-09-24T21:31:57.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-03T23:10:04.000Z
- Description: The Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act, co-sponsored by Montana's two senators, passed the Senate Commerce Committee and heads to the full Senate floor.
- Author: Samuel Von Worthington
- Tags: Montana Delegation, #zone-statewide, #ai-assisted, #bridger-edit, #dedupe-10fe7c400902f8cc

A bipartisan bill aimed at closing a technology gap at smaller and rural airports cleared the Senate Commerce Committee on September 16, advancing toward a full Senate vote.

What this means for you

MontanaMontana has more rural and regional airports per capita than most states, and its carriers depend on air traffic control infrastructure that the bill targets. If enacted, Montana airports could access federal resources for safety-system upgrades — though specific allocations and timelines are not yet set.

LocalNo direct county- or city-level effect identified.

Watch nextSenate floor scheduling for the Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act — no date announced as of Sept. 16, 2026\. Track via congress.gov by bill name or sponsor.

The Air Traffic Situational Awareness Enhancement Act, sponsored by Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and co-led by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), would provide federal contract towers with funding and tools to upgrade situational awareness technology. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) joined Sheehy and Merkley as an original co-sponsor when the bill was introduced in February.

The legislation targets a concrete gap in the current system: of the 266 airports operating under the Federal Contract Tower program, more than 90 have no radar or surveillance tools at all. Controllers at those facilities rely on visual observation and radio calls — methods that can fall short during heavy traffic, complex mixed operations, or low-visibility conditions.

Congress laid groundwork for the fix in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, directing the FAA to approve technology that improves situational awareness at contract towers. Last summer the agency approved the first Airborne Position Reference Tool, a device that pulls ADS-B data to give controllers a real-time display of nearby aircraft. The release states the tools have since been deployed at several airports, with controllers reporting improved confidence and awareness.

Sheehy, in a statement attributed to his office, called the bill a practical response to outdated infrastructure. "A lack of resources and outdated technology puts public safety at risk," he said. "This practical, bipartisan legislation makes sure our technology is upgraded to meet our modern aviation safety needs."

The bill is backed by the Regional Airline Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Airlines for America, and the National Business Aviation Association.

the406.news could not independently verify the committee vote through Senate records within this pipeline run. 

If confirmed, the bill proceeds to the Senate floor for full consideration.