AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2023

To require the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule requiring access to AM broadcast stations in motor vehicles, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2023 2. AM broadcast stations rulemaking (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Administrator The term Administrator (2) AM broadcast band The term AM broadcast band (3) AM broadcast station The term AM broadcast station (A) intended to be received by the public; and (B) operated on a channel in the AM broadcast band. (4) Authorized alert originator The term authorized alert originator (5) Comptroller General The term Comptroller General (6) Device The term device (A) to receive signals transmitted by a radio broadcast station (as defined in section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 153 (B) to play back content or programming derived from those signals. (7) Digital audio AM broadcast station (A) In general The term digital audio AM broadcast station (i) is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission; and (ii) uses an In-band On-channel system (as defined in section 73.402 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)) for broadcasting purposes. (B) Exclusion The term digital audio AM broadcast station (8) Integrated public alert and warning system The term Integrated Public Alert and Warning System 6 U.S.C. 321o (9) Manufacturer The term manufacturer (10) Motor vehicle The term motor vehicle (11) Receive The term receive (12) Secretary The term Secretary (13) Signal The term signal 47 U.S.C. 301 (14) Standard equipment The term standard equipment (A) is installed as a system, part, or component of a motor vehicle as originally manufactured; and (B) the manufacturer of the motor vehicle recommends or authorizes to be included in the motor vehicle for no additional or separate monetary fee, payment, or surcharge, beyond the base price of a motor vehicle. (b) Rulemaking required Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator and the Federal Communications Commission, shall issue a rule— (1) requiring devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM broadcast stations be installed as standard equipment in motor vehicles manufactured in the United States, imported into the United States, or shipped in interstate commerce after the effective date of the rule; (2) requiring dashboard access to AM broadcast stations in a manner that is conspicuous to a driver; and (3) allowing a manufacturer to comply with that rule by installing devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by digital audio AM broadcast stations as standard equipment in motor vehicles manufactured in the United States, imported into the United States, or shipped in interstate commerce after the effective date of the rule. (c) Interim requirement For motor vehicles manufactured in the United States, imported into the United States, or shipped in interstate commerce between the period of time beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on the effective date of the rule issued under subsection (b) that do not include devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM broadcast stations, the manufacturer of the motor vehicles shall provide clear and conspicuous labeling to inform purchasers of those motor vehicles that the motor vehicles do not include devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM broadcast stations. (d) Enforcement (1) Civil penalty Any person failing to comply with the rule issued under subsection (b) shall be liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty in accordance with section 30165(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code. (2) Civil action The Attorney General may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court of the United States to enjoin a violation of the rule issued under subsection (b) in accordance with section 30163 of title 49, United States Code. (e) Study (1) Study required (A) In general The Comptroller General shall study and assess whether an alternative communication system for delivering emergency alerts and critical public safety information distributed by the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System to drivers and passengers of motor vehicles exists that— (i) is as reliable and resilient as AM broadcast stations; and (ii) is capable of ensuring the President (or a designee) can reach at least 90 percent of the population of the United States in a time of crisis, including at night. (B) Considerations In carrying out the study required by subparagraph (A), the Comptroller General shall consider— (i) the cost to drivers and passengers to receive communications through an alternative communication system; and (ii) in consultation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and authorized alert originators, the cost and time required to develop and implement an alternative resilient communication system that fully replicates the capability to deliver emergency alerts and critical public safety information distributed by the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System. (2) Briefing; report (A) Briefing Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the results of the study required by paragraph (1)(A), including recommendations for legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate. (B) Report Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Comptroller General provides the briefing required under subparagraph (A), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a report describing the results of the study required under paragraph (1)(A), including recommendations for legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.

Summary: AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule that requires all new motor vehicles to have devices that can access AM broadcast stations installed as standard equipment. (AM broadcast stations are often used to deliver emergency alerts and news and entertainment programming; some newer vehicles do not include AM equipment.) Specifically, this bill applies to motor vehicles manufactured in the United States, imported into the United States, or shipped in interstate commerce after the rule's effective date. The DOT rule must require all such vehicles to have devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM broadcast stations or digital audio AM broadcast stations installed as standard equipment. Prior to the effective date of the rule, manufacturers that do not include devices that can access AM broadcast stations as standard equipment must inform purchasers of this fact through clear and conspicuous labeling. DOT may assess civil penalties against any manufacturer that fails to comply with the mandate. The Department of Justice may also bring a civil action to enjoin a violation. Further, the Government Accountability Office must study and report on whether a reliable alternative communication system exists for delivering emergency alerts and consider the (1) cost to drivers and passengers of receiving communications through an alternative system, and (2) cost and time required to develop and implement an alternative.