Sponsors (61)
The bill improves and standardizes AM emergency-alert access—especially helping rural drivers—by requiring AM-capable receivers and clarifying federal roles, but it increases costs and regulatory burdens for manufacturers, may constrain state-level flexibility, and could lock in legacy technology choices.
Drivers and passengers in rural areas will have greater access to AM emergency broadcasts because new vehicles must include AM-capable receivers.
Purchasers of interim vehicles produced before the rule's effective date cannot be charged extra for AM access, protecting buyers from add-on fees.
The law establishes national preemption on vehicle AM access rules, preventing a patchwork of state requirements that would complicate the market for consumers and manufacturers.
Vehicle manufacturers will face compliance costs to install AM-capable equipment, which is likely to raise vehicle prices for buyers.
Mandating AM receivers for a decade risks locking in legacy technology investments and could impede adoption of alternative or improved emergency-alert technologies in the future.
Preemption of state rules removes states' ability to impose stricter or locally tailored in-vehicle emergency alert requirements that might better serve specific communities.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Requires new passenger vehicles to include AM radio reception (analog or permitted digital AM) as standard equipment, with federal rulemaking, labeling, preemption, enforcement, and a 10-year sunset.
Introduced January 29, 2025 by Edward John Markey · Last progress January 29, 2025
Requires the Secretary of Transportation, working with FEMA and the FCC, to issue a safety rule that new passenger vehicles sold or imported in the U.S. include devices capable of receiving and playing AM broadcast signals as standard equipment. The rule must be issued within one year, allow digital AM receivers, set an effective date 2–3 years after issuance (or at least 4 years for very small manufacturers), includes labeling and price protections for interim vehicles, preempts state/local AM requirements, and sunsets after 10 years. The law creates enforcement tools (civil penalties and injunctive relief), directs a GAO study and briefing/report on emergency alert dissemination including AM in vehicles, and requires the Secretary to review and report on the rule to Congress at least every five years.