Senate Report: AM Radio In Cars Critical For Emergencies, Inexpensive To Implement.

Congressional Republicans are working to meet a self-imposed July Fourth deadline to pass a massive tax and domestic policy bill, and if that is achieved, it will allow lawmakers to turn to other issues — including AM radio. Support has grown in recent days for proposed legislation requiring AM radio in all new cars, and a Senate committee says in a report to their colleagues that the mandate would have “minimal impact” on automakers and the number of violations “would probably be small.”

In its official report on the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (S. 315), the Senate Commerce Committee says the rulemaking would impose a private-sector mandate, but it would come with only modest expenses on automakers. Congressional Budget Office Director Phillip Swagel writes in the report that CBO estimates the cost will be a few million dollars annually — with the law prohibiting that it be passed onto consumers.

“Based on sales data for EVs, the legislation would require manufacturers to update radio equipment in about 2 to 2.5 million vehicles each year. Since most EVs are already equipped with FM radio, this would likely result in a small increase in production costs to update the media system software and modify other radio components,” Swagel says. As a result of the legislation, he also predicts that some manufacturers may elect to make other modifications to the vehicle as well to improve audio quality.

The Congressional Budget Office projects that federal implementation will cost about $1 million over five years, with limited revenue from enforcement actions for noncompliance. CBO estimates that less than $500,000 will be collected in penalties from automakers during the bill’s 10-year horizon to offset that, however, because so few violations are likely.

The bill is a direct response to recent decisions by several automakers, particularly in the electric vehicle sector, to eliminate AM radios due to concerns about interference and evolving consumer habits. Lawmakers argue that doing so jeopardizes the resilience of national emergency communications — especially in rural areas. The Committee report notes that 86% of the primary entry point stations in the national Emergency Alert System are AM stations, making the format vital for distributing warnings during disasters. “AM radio, therefore, is critical to domestic emergency management,” it says.

The bill would direct the U.S. Department of Transportation to require AM radio capability — analog or digital — in all new passenger vehicles, citing AM’s essential role in public safety. The proposed rule would give most manufacturers two to three years to comply, while small-volume producers would get four. And while any vehicle that carries 12 passengers or less would be covered, motorcycles fall outside the definition.

Until the mandate takes effect, carmakers would need to label any AM-less vehicles and would be barred from charging extra to include AM functionality. The law also pre-empts any potential state-level rules, establishing a unified federal standard related to the access of AM stations in passenger vehicles.

Lawmakers also acknowledge that technology is rapidly changing, and the need for AM in vehicles may not continue in perpetuity. It is why the requirement would sunset after a decade. “The Committee is sensitive to the fact that technology evolves over time, which may impact the need for this rule,” the report says.

In the meantime, the legislation instructs the Government Accountability Office to study how AM compares to newer technologies in delivering emergency alerts, and whether alternatives can match AM’s coverage and reliability. DOT would be required to report to Congress every five years on how well the mandate is meeting public safety needs, coordinating with FEMA, and the FCC.

The legislation was passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee in February with bipartisan support and is currently awaiting a floor vote. A companion version (H.R. 979) was introduced in the House but has not yet been considered by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. That has not stopped it from securing broad, bipartisan support. A majority of House members have come out in favor of the proposal, with a filibuster-proof majority also achieved in the Senate. The numbers essentially ensure passage, if and when the bills are brought up for a vote.

The bill also has the support of over 125 organizations, including the National Emergency Management Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, AARP, Native Public Media, SAG-AFTRA, and the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters.