AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025

Bill: 119-hr-979
Sponsor: Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Introduced: 2025-02-05 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Government studies and investigations
Motor vehicles
Technology assessment
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2025-02-05
text: 

AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025

This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule requiring AM radio capabilities to be standard in all new passenger vehicles. (AM radio is often used to deliver emergency alerts and news and entertainment programming; some newer vehicles do not include AM equipment.)

Specifically, this bill applies to passenger vehicles (1) manufactured in the United States for sale in the United States, imported into the United States, or shipped in interstate commerce; and (2) manufactured after the rule's effective date. The rule must require all such vehicles to have devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM stations or digital audio AM stations installed as standard equipment and made easily accessible to drivers.

Prior to the rule's effective date, manufacturers that do not include devices that can access AM radio as standard equipment (1) must inform purchasers of this fact through clear and conspicuous labeling, and (2) may not charge an additional or separate fee for AM radio access.

DOT may assess civil penalties for any violation of the rule. The Department of Justice may also bring a civil action to enjoin a violation.

The rule, including DOT’s authority to enforce it, must expire 10 years after the bill’s enactment. 

Further, the Government Accountability Office must study and report on the dissemination of emergency alerts to the public, including by conducting an assessment of AM radio relative to other Integrated Public Alert and Warning System communication technologies.

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-09-17
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 50 - 1.
action_date: 2025-09-17
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2025-02-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2025-02-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
action_date: 2025-02-05
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2025-02-05
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2025-02-05
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2025-02-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-02-05
text: Introduced in House