AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 979
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-12: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 330.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-16T19:05:18Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025," aims to ensure that new passenger motor vehicles include equipment for receiving AM broadcast radio signals. This supports public access to radio content, particularly for emergency alerts and warnings through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).
Key Provisions
- Rulemaking Requirement: The Secretary of Transportation must issue a rule within one year, in consultation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), mandating that devices capable of receiving AM broadcast signals be installed as standard equipment in passenger motor vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States after the rule's effective date. Compliance may also occur via digital audio AM broadcast stations.
- Accessibility: The rule requires easy driver access to AM stations.
- Pre-Rule Report: The Secretary must submit a report evaluating potential impacts on automotive innovation and safety for vehicles with automated driving systems, along with mitigation options.
- Effective Dates: The rule takes effect no later than two years after issuance, with a four-year delay for manufacturers producing 40,000 or fewer vehicles in 2022.
- Interim Measures: For vehicles made between enactment and the rule's effective date without AM access, manufacturers must provide clear labeling and cannot charge extra fees for AM access.
- State Preemption: States and localities cannot enact or enforce conflicting requirements on AM access in vehicles.
- Enforcement: Violations trigger civil penalties and possible injunctions under existing motor vehicle safety laws.
- GAO Study: The Comptroller General must study emergency alert dissemination, including the role of vehicles and AM radio in IPAWS, with a briefing within one year and a full report within 18 months.
- Periodic Review: Every five years, the Secretary, with FEMA and FCC, must assess the rule's impacts on public safety and suggest IPAWS improvements.
- Sunset: The Act and related authority expire eight years after enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new federal mandate requiring AM radio capability in passenger motor vehicles as standard equipment, overriding prior voluntary industry practices.
- Establishes preemption of state and local laws on vehicle radio access.
- Adds specific compliance timelines, labeling rules, and enforcement mechanisms tied to Title 49 motor vehicle provisions.
- Requires ongoing federal reviews and a comprehensive GAO analysis of emergency communications technologies.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases coordination among the Department of Transportation, FEMA, and FCC; expands oversight of vehicle manufacturing and emergency systems.
- Citizens: Ensures continued over-the-air AM radio access in new vehicles for news, entertainment, and emergency information, including during crises or in areas with limited alternatives.
- Manufacturers and Imports: Raises compliance costs for vehicle makers, particularly smaller ones, and applies to imported or interstate-shipped vehicles.
- International Relations: Affects imported vehicles by imposing U.S.-specific equipment standards.
- Emergency Communications: Strengthens IPAWS resilience but prompts evaluation of whether other technologies can reach most of the population.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Motor vehicle manufacturers and importers.
- Radio broadcasters and AM station operators.
- Consumers and vehicle owners.
- Federal agencies including the Department of Transportation, FEMA, and FCC.
- State, tribal, territorial, and local emergency management officials and first responders.
- Technology experts and automotive safety advocates.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Preemption: Creates uniform national standards by overriding state authority, which may raise federalism considerations.
- Public Safety Focus: Ties requirements to emergency alert capabilities under the Homeland Security Act.
- Sunset and Review: Includes built-in expiration and periodic assessments to allow future adjustments based on technological changes.
- No Major Constitutional Issues Noted: The bill operates within existing regulatory frameworks for transportation safety and communications without altering core constitutional structures.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Cosponsors (317)
Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-9], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Alford, Mark [R-MO-4], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert [R-PA-8], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. McGuire, John [R-VA-5], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Crank, Jeff [R-CO-5], Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1], Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10], Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4], Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38], Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7] and 267 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-12: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 330.
- 2025-11-12: Committee on Transportation discharged.
- 2025-11-12: Committee on Transportation discharged.
- 2025-11-12: Committee on Homeland Security discharged.
- 2025-11-12: Committee on Homeland Security discharged.
- 2025-11-12: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-379, Part I.
- 2025-11-12: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-379, Part I.
- 2025-09-17: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 50 - 1.
- 2025-09-17: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-02-05: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 2025-02-05: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
- 2025-02-05: 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.
- 2025-02-05: 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.
- 2025-02-05: 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.
- 2025-02-05: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-05 — PDF (12 pages)
- AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 — issued 2025-11-12 — PDF (18 pages)