Sponsors (318)
The bill preserves AM access and clarifies technical and agency definitions to support emergency alerting and vehicle standards, but does so at the cost of higher manufacturing and consumer expenses, added compliance complexity, and reduced state flexibility.
Drivers and vehicle occupants across the U.S. will retain AM broadcast access in new passenger vehicles, preserving a low‑tech, widely available source of emergency alerts and local news.
Specifying 'automated driving system' as SAE J3016 Levels 3–5 gives manufacturers and DOT a consistent technical standard to guide regulation and safety oversight of higher‑level automated vehicles.
Clear statutory definitions for device manufacturers, broadcasters, and key terms (e.g., 'device', 'digital audio AM broadcast station') reduce regulatory uncertainty and help businesses design products and comply with requirements.
Requiring AM receivers in new passenger vehicles will raise vehicle manufacturing costs that are likely passed to buyers, increasing prices for many consumers.
Mandates and technical definitions (including adoption of SAE Levels 3–5) increase costs and regulatory constraints for automakers, potentially limiting design choices and slowing innovation in advanced vehicles.
Narrow or fragmented technical definitions and cross‑referencing multiple agencies' statutes could exclude some broadcasters from benefits or create cumbersome compliance burdens for small broadcasters and device makers.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Requires DOT to require AM radio reception as standard equipment in new passenger motor vehicles, with a rule in 1 year and phased effective dates plus interim labeling rules.
Introduced February 5, 2025 by Gus Bilirakis · Last progress February 5, 2025
Requires the Department of Transportation to issue a rule (within one year) making AM radio reception standard equipment in new passenger motor vehicles sold, imported, or shipped in interstate commerce in the United States. The rule must make AM access easy for drivers, may be satisfied by digital AM receivers, and includes timelines, a small‑manufacturer delay, and interim labeling and sales restrictions for cars that lack AM reception before the rule takes effect.