Amended aircraft safety bill could shield private jets from state tax fees
A last-minute amendment to the ALERT Act would bar the use of ADS-B transponder data for collecting airport or local taxes, prompting concerns it creates a tax haven for private-jet owners.
Senators will soon consider an amendment added to the ALERT Act that forbids the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data to levy airport or local taxes without the aircraft owner’s permission. Supporters argue the measure prevents a safety tool from being turned into a revenue-collection device, a view echoed by Jim Coon of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Opponents contend the change effectively creates a tax shelter for private-jet owners, allowing them to register aircraft in states such as Montana to avoid property taxes.
In Texas, the loss could reach as much as $70.2 million annually, according to tax rolls cited by The Center Square. The bipartisan ALERT Act was originally introduced in response to a deadly midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in January 2025 that claimed 67 lives.
Why it matters
The amendment could deprive state and local governments of significant tax revenue while protecting private-jet owners from fees.
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