TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed into law a bill that will prevent the state's airports from utilizing data from automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast systems to levy fees on general aviation operators.
The legislation, known as SB 422, creates a new section in state statutes that explicitly bars governmental entities and airports from employing ADS-B information — whether received or transmitted — to calculate, issue or enforce charges associated with aircraft landings, departures including touch-and-go operations, or entry into a defined airspace around an airport. The restrictions apply exclusively to aircraft weighing 12,499 pounds or less that operate under Federal Aviation Administration Part 91 general operating and flight rules.
The bill, introduced by Sen. Tom Wright and supported by pilot-legislators Rep. Doug Bankson and former air traffic controller Rep. Kim Kendall, passed both chambers of the Florida Legislature with strong bipartisan support. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
AOPA has been a leading advocate for the change, arguing that the practice of using surveillance data for automated invoicing raises privacy issues and has the potential to undermine a key safety tool. Supporters stress that preserving the integrity of ADS-B as a safety system outweighs any revenue gains from such tracking.
The issue gained prominence after several Florida municipalities began contracting with third-party providers to monitor ADS-B Out transmissions and automatically bill aircraft owners for runway usage, even in cases where aircraft flew near but did not land at the facility. Critics say such practices could lead some pilots to disable their ADS-B equipment to avoid charges, creating safety risks for all users of the national airspace system.
This concern was echoed by FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, who noted that while airports have the right to charge for services, linking mandatory safety equipment to billing creates problematic incentives. Bedford indicated the agency would take a dim view of any practices that result in pilots making decisions that reduce safety.
Florida's law follows Montana's pioneering effort in 2025 and comes as lawmakers in Arizona and other states consider similar measures. At the federal level, the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act, or PAPA, along with key provisions included in the recently advanced ALERT Act, seeks to restrict the use of ADS-B data strictly to safety and operational purposes, preventing its exploitation for revenue generation or enforcement unrelated to aviation safety.
ADS-B has become a cornerstone of modern air traffic management since the FAA mandated its use for most aircraft operating in controlled airspace. The technology provides precise position information, enhancing collision avoidance, traffic awareness and search-and-rescue capabilities. Supporters of the new Florida law argue that preserving public confidence in the system by limiting non-safety applications is essential to its continued effectiveness.
The development reflects ongoing tensions between airport revenue needs and the interests of the general aviation community, which operates the majority of aircraft affected by these policies. By clarifying the acceptable uses of ADS-B data, Florida joins a growing consensus that safety technology should not double as a tracking device for fee collection.
Industry observers expect the law to serve as a model for other states while Congress considers nationwide standards. In the meantime, Florida pilots can operate with greater assurance that their equipment's transmissions will not result in unexpected bills starting this summer.