Other
AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025
This bill requires automakers to include AM radio as standard equipment in all new passenger vehicles sold in the United States, without charging buyers extra fees or subscriptions. In the meantime, manufacturers that sell cars without AM radio must clearly label those vehicles so buyers know it is missing. The mandate aims to keep public emergency alerts accessible to drivers, while giving smaller car companies additional years to comply and setting an expiration date for the law eight years after enactment.
People affected—not determinable from the text provided
Fiscal magnitude—CBO cost estimate published (H.R. 979, AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025, 2026-03-16); dollar figure pending review extraction — see receipt
Reach40provisional · pending reviewrigor: heuristic llm
What this bill touches.
Market protections+40Federal vs. state/local+40Regulation (cross-sector)+50
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- New vehicle purchasers and driversReceive access to AM broadcast radio in new passenger vehicles as standard equipment without separate fees or surcharges, and receive clear labeling if a new vehicle lacks AM radio prior to the mandate taking effect (Sec. 3(a), 3(d)).
- AM radio broadcastersGain guaranteed access to in-vehicle audiences as federal law mandates receiver equipment capable of playing their over-the-air broadcasts in all new passenger vehicles (Sec. 3(a)).
Who it burdens
- Passenger motor vehicle manufacturersMust include AM broadcast radio capability as standard equipment at no extra charge in new passenger vehicles, provide warning labels on vehicles lacking AM radio during the transition period, and face federal civil penalties for noncompliance (Sec. 3(a), 3(c), 3(d), 3(f)).
- State and local governmentsAre preempted and barred from creating or enforcing their own state or local laws regarding AM broadcast radio access in passenger vehicles (Sec. 3(e)).
- Department of TransportationMust publish a study on automated driving safety impacts, issue a formal rulemaking mandating AM radio in passenger vehicles within one year, and report to Congress every five years on public safety impacts (Sec. 3(a), 3(b), 3(h)).
- Government Accountability OfficeMust conduct a comprehensive study assessing emergency alerts and AM radio in passenger vehicles, brief congressional committees within one year, and submit a final report 180 days later (Sec. 3(g)).