This bill requires that all new cars sold in the United States must come with AM radio as a standard feature. Right now, some newer vehicles don't include AM radio equipment, even though AM stations are commonly used to broadcast emergency alerts, news, and entertainment. The Department of Transportation will create rules to make sure every new passenger car has a working AM radio that's easy for drivers to access.

Before these new rules take effect, car manufacturers that don't include AM radio in their vehicles have to be honest about it—they must clearly label their cars to let buyers know AM radio isn't available. They also can't charge extra money to add AM radio capability. If a manufacturer breaks these rules, the government can fine them, and the Department of Justice can take legal action to stop the violation.

The bill also asks the Government Accountability Office to study how emergency alerts reach the public and compare AM radio to other warning systems. The Department of Transportation's authority to enforce this rule will last for 10 years after the bill becomes law.

AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025

Markey, Edward J.

AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule requiring AM radio capabilities to be standard in all new passenger&nbsp;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&nbsp;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&nbsp;after the rule's effective date.&nbsp;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)&nbsp;may not charge an additional or separate fee&nbsp;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.DOT’s authority to issue the rule expires 10 years after the bill’s enactment.&nbsp;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 broadcast stations relative to other Integrated Public Alert and Warning System communication technologies.&nbsp;