A bipartisan agreement on aviation safety legislation was announced by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, following a January collision that killed 67 people, reported Reuters.

The ROTOR Act mandates aircraft operators to install ADS-B, an advanced tracking system, across all civilian aircraft and military helicopters near commercial planes by the end of 2031.

The bill also strengthens oversight of mixed aircraft traffic near airports and eliminates ADS-B exemptions for military helicopters on training and official flights.

Senator Cruz said the reforms were overdue and necessary to prevent future accidents, citing support from victims' families of the January 29 crash near Reagan National Airport.

Senator Cantwell said the legislation closes long-standing loopholes and ensures ADS-B implementation after 17 years of delay.

The bill requires nationwide airport safety reviews to assess risks posed by military aircraft, drones and air taxis. It also directs the Army Inspector General to conduct a safety audit and mandates data sharing between the FAA and military services.