Rep. Ruiz seeks to extend FAA temporary flight restrictions to large outdoor concerts
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Summary
Rep. Raul Ruiz introduced the Protecting Outdoor Concerts Act to direct the FAA to issue or revise temporary flight restrictions for outdoor concerts and festivals that draw 30,000 or more attendees, aligning protections with those currently used for major sporting events.
Representative Raul Ruiz (CA) urged the committee to advance the Protecting Outdoor Concerts Act of 2025, which would create a statutory pathway for the Federal Aviation Administration to issue temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) for large outdoor concerts and festivals drawing at least 30,000 attendees.
Under current FAA practice, TFRs routinely protect major sporting events from one hour before to one hour after the event; Ruiz pointed out that many concerts draw the same or larger crowds yet do not automatically receive equivalent protections. "These protections do not automatically apply when a stadium hosts a concert," Ruiz said, arguing the bill would close a public safety gap and give law enforcement and event organizers consistent tools to secure airspace above large outdoor gatherings.
Ruiz emphasized events in his district, such as Coachella and Stagecoach, as examples where the statute would create a clearer regulatory pathway for the FAA to act. He framed the bill as safety‑focused rulemaking rather than a program expansion and urged bipartisan support.
The committee did not vote on the proposal at this hearing; next steps would include staff review of the bill text and coordination with FAA and public safety stakeholders.
