Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 39.
The bill directs the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with FEMA and the FCC, to issue a rule requiring AM-capable receivers be installed as standard equipment in new passenger motor vehicles sold or imported into the United States. The rule must make AM stations easily accessible to drivers, may be satisfied by digital audio AM receivers, and includes phased compliance deadlines with a longer timeline for small manufacturers.
Progressives emphasize public safety and access for underserved communities
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a detailed statutory mandate directing DOT to establish a national equipment requirement, with clear roles, timelines, enforcement hooks, regular reviews, and a GAO study; it leaves technical standards and many implementation specifics to delegated rulemaking.
The bill directs the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with FEMA and the FCC, to issue a rule requiring AM-capable receivers be installed as standard equipment in new passenger motor vehicles sold or imported into the United States.
The rule must make AM stations easily accessible to drivers, may be satisfied by digital audio AM receivers, and includes phased compliance deadlines with a longer timeline for small manufacturers.
The law preempts state rules on AM access, creates civil penalties and AG enforcement, mandates a GAO study on emergency alert dissemination (IPAWS), requires periodic reviews, and sunsets the rule authority after ten years.
Relatively narrow, low-ideology public-safety mandate increases viability, but industry resistance to new equipment mandates and legislative calendar pressures reduce chances.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a detailed statutory mandate directing DOT to establish a national equipment requirement, with clear roles, timelines, enforcement hooks, regular reviews, and a GAO study; it leaves technical standards and many implementation specifics to delegated rulemaking.
Progressives emphasize public safety and access for underserved communities
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Progressives emphasize public safety and access for underserved communities
Likely supportive overall because the bill protects a resilient public-communications medium and strengthens emergency alert access, especially for rural and underserved communities.
Would press for strong accessibility, non-discrimination, and implementation that prioritizes public safety and local broadcasters.
May want assurances that marginalized communities benefit and that manufacturers do not charge extra fees.
Generally favorable but cautious: supports improving emergency communications while wanting clear cost-benefit evidence and reasonable timelines.
Appreciates small-manufacturer relief and allowance for digital AM, but seeks rigorous GAO analysis and five-year reviews to adjust policy if needed.
Skeptical or opposed overall because it imposes a federal equipment mandate on automakers, expanding regulatory authority and increasing potential costs.
Acknowledges public-safety rationale but prefers market-based solutions or voluntary incentives instead of a nationwide mandate and preemption of state authority.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Relatively narrow, low-ideology public-safety mandate increases viability, but industry resistance to new equipment mandates and legislative calendar pressures reduce chances.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Progressives emphasize public safety and access for underserved communities
Relatively narrow, low-ideology public-safety mandate increases viability, but industry resistance to new equipment mandates and legislativ…
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a detailed statutory mandate directing DOT to establish a national equipment requirement, with clear roles, timelines, enforcement hooks, regular reviews, and a GA…
Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.