Florida Prohibits Airports from Billing GA Aircraft Using ADS-B Data
Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis, has enacted legislation that prevents airports from utilizing automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data to compute or levy fees from owners and operators of general aviation aircraft.
Senate Bill 422, ratified on April 23, 2026, introduces a new Florida statute that comes into effect on July 1, 2026. This regulation pertains to aircraft operating under Part 91, with a gross weight of 12,499 pounds or less. It forbids airports from employing ADS-B data to calculate, generate, or collect fees associated with landings, including touch-and-go operations.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) backed this legislation, arguing that the use of ADS-B for billing contradicts the system’s intended purpose – to enhance traffic awareness and airspace safety. General aviation advocates have voiced concerns that airports and third-party vendors should not convert safety data into an automated billing mechanism.
With this move, Florida follows in the footsteps of Montana, which became the pioneer state to outlaw ADS-B-based fees for most general aviation pilots in 2025. AOPA has also drawn attention to federal legislation in Congress, such as the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act, which proposes federal restrictions on the use of ADS-B data.
Source: AeroTime