AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025
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Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 330.
Official Summary
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.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 mandates the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a rule requiring all new passenger vehicles manufactured, imported, or shipped in interstate commerce in the United States to include AM radio reception capabilities as standard equipment. This requirement applies to vehicles produced after the rule's effective date. Prior to the rule taking effect, manufacturers that do not include AM radio must clearly label this fact for purchasers and cannot charge extra fees for AM radio access. The DOT is authorized to enforce the rule through civil penalties, and the Department of Justice may seek legal action to stop violations. The rule and enforcement authority will expire 10 years after enactment. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is tasked with studying and reporting on emergency alert dissemination, including an assessment of AM radio compared to other Integrated Public Alert and Warning System technologies.
This bill seeks to ensure that all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. have AM radio capabilities to support emergency alerts and other broadcasts, with enforcement and a sunset provision, while also requiring a GAO study on emergency alert systems.
- Requires DOT to issue a rule mandating AM radio reception as standard equipment in new passenger vehicles manufactured or imported into the U.S. after the rule's effective date.
- Before the rule is effective, manufacturers must clearly label vehicles without AM radio and cannot charge extra fees for AM radio access.
- DOT can impose civil penalties for violations, and the Department of Justice may bring civil actions to enforce compliance.
- The rule and DOT's enforcement authority expire 10 years after enactment.
- GAO must conduct a study and report on emergency alert dissemination, including evaluating AM radio relative to other alert technologies.
['Drivers and passengers of new passenger vehicles who rely on AM radio for emergency alerts and information', 'Department of Transportation through expanded regulatory authority', 'Emergency management agencies and public safety organizations that use AM radio for alerts', 'Manufacturers required to comply with the new equipment standards', 'General public benefiting from improved emergency alert dissemination']
['Implementation challenges for manufacturers to include AM radio hardware as standard equipment', 'Costs associated with compliance and potential impacts on vehicle pricing', 'Enforcement mechanisms rely on DOT and DOJ resources, which may affect oversight effectiveness', 'The 10-year sunset may limit long-term regulatory certainty', 'The bill does not specify technical standards or address compatibility with evolving broadcast technologies']
The bill is currently in process in the 119th Congress and was placed on the Union Calendar, indicating it is scheduled for floor consideration. It addresses concerns about the absence of AM radio in some newer vehicles, which is significant because AM radio is a key channel for emergency alerts and public information. The inclusion of a GAO study reflects congressional interest in evaluating the effectiveness of AM radio relative to other alert technologies within the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System framework.
High concern review — 3 hidden impact flags detected
GovScope reviewed 3 policy-risk categories. Hover for a quick definition. Click detected flags for bill-specific details.
['Potential increased accessibility to emergency alerts for vehicle occupants, possibly improving public safety outcomes.', 'Manufacturers may adjust vehicle design or technology integration strategies to accommodate AM radio equipment.', 'The GAO study could influence future policy decisions regarding emergency alert technologies beyond AM radio.', "Labeling requirements before the rule's effective date may affect consumer purchasing decisions and manufacturer marketing."]
The bill includes a clear enforcement mechanism with civil penalties and DOJ civil actions, but the sunset provision limits the duration of regulatory authority to 10 years, which may affect long-term oversight. The GAO study requirement adds a transparency element by mandating an assessment of emergency alert dissemination technologies. However, the bill text does not specify technical standards for AM radio equipment or detailed enforcement procedures, which are important for effective implementation and oversight.
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