May 5, 2025
Mr. Nadler (for himself, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Malliotakis, Ms. Meng, Ms. Velázquez, and Mrs. McIver) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
To amend title 49, United States Code, to prohibit helicopter flights near Statue of Liberty National Monument, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Improving Helicopter Safety Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Prohibition on helicopter flights near Statue of Liberty National Monument
(a) In general
Chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
44749. Prohibition on helicopter flights near Statue of Liberty National Monument
(a) In general
Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this section, no person may operate a civil helicopter in covered airspace except as provided for under subsection (b).
(b) Exceptions
(1) Public health and safety
The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply to a flight carried out for purposes of public health and safety, including—
(A)
law enforcement;
(B)
emergency response;
(C)
disaster response;
(D)
the provision of medical services; and
(E)
providing other services for the benefit of the general public, including flights carried out for research or for official purposes by a news organization.
(2) Infrastructure maintenance
The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply to a flight carried out for purposes heavy-lift operations in support of construction and infrastructure maintenance.
(c) Covered airspace defined
In this section, the term
covered airspacemeans the airspace within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty National Monument.
(b) Conforming amendment
The table of sections for chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Sec. 3. Helicopter flight routes near Statue of Liberty National Monument
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall issue or update such regulations as are necessary to carry out the requirements of section 2.