Louisiana Bans Use of ADS-B Data for Aircraft Fees
Governor Jeff Landry signed legislation in June 2026 to restrict how airports assess fees for lighter aircraft.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Air Travel
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Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed a law in June 2026 that prohibits the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) tracking data to charge fees to pilots. This regulation applies specifically to aircraft weighing less than 12,500 pounds operating under Part 91.
Why it matters
Proponents argue that ADS-B technology is designed strictly as a safety tool rather than a mechanism for fee collection. Advocates also seek to prevent a inconsistent patchwork of state-level regulations regarding how airports assess charges for operators.
The new Louisiana law restricts fee assessment methods for aircraft weighing under 12,500 pounds. This follows similar legislative actions taken to limit the use of ADS-B data by airport authorities in Florida and Montana.
The players
Jeff Landry
Jeff Landry is the Governor of Louisiana who signed the legislation banning the use of ADS-B data for aircraft fee collection.
The details
Airports have historically utilized ADS-B tracking data to monitor movements and assess associated fees for aircraft operators. The movement to restrict this practice grew following a 2025 midair collision over Washington, D.C., which spurred federal legislative efforts to govern how this tracking technology is deployed.
Timeline
A fatal midair collision occurred over Washington, D.C. in 2025.
Federal legislation to restrict ADS-B fee practices was initiated in 2025.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed the ADS-B billing ban into law in June 2026.
The expected vote on the reconciled aviation safety bill is scheduled by year-end 2026.
Travel Outlook
The legislative move in Louisiana reflects an ongoing national effort to standardize how ADS-B technology is applied across the aviation sector. This effort is currently being shaped by deliberations in the U.S. Congress to reconcile the House Alert Act and the Senate Rotor Act.
Pilots operating aircraft under 12,500 pounds in Louisiana are no longer subject to fees assessed via ADS-B tracking data. Travelers and operators should be aware that these regulations remain inconsistent across state lines until federal legislation is finalized.
The takeaway
The transition of ADS-B from a safety instrument to a billing tool has triggered significant legislative pushback from aviation advocates. Operators should monitor the upcoming federal aviation safety bill to see if these state-level protections become national policy.
What happens next
The U.S. House and Senate are expected to vote on a reconciled aviation safety bill by the end of 2026, which will then be sent to the President for a final signature.
Further reading
For more context on how government policies affect private pilots, visit the Air Travel section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Aviation International News.
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