HR979-119

Reported

To require the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule requiring access to AM broadcast stations in motor vehicles, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced Feb 5, 2025

Legislative Progress

Reported
Introduced Committee Passed
Nov 12, 2025

Additional sponsors: Mr. Meuser, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Weber of Texas, …

Nov 12, 2025

Reported from the Committee on Energy and Commerce with an …

Nov 12, 2025

Committees on Homeland Security and Transportation and Infrastructure discharged; committed …

Feb 5, 2025

Mr. Bilirakis (for himself and Mr. Pallone) introduced the following …

Summary

What This Bill Does

Mandates DOT issue rules requiring automakers include AM radio receivers in all new passenger vehicles, ensuring continued access to emergency alert broadcasts.

Who Benefits and How

  • AM radio broadcasters protected from losing vehicle audience
  • Emergency management retains AM network for alerts
  • Rural residents maintain access to AM coverage

Who Bears the Burden and How

  • Automobile manufacturers must include AM radio hardware
  • Electric vehicle makers face shielding costs for electromagnetic interference
  • Vehicle buyers may face marginally higher costs

Key Provisions

  • AM radio access required in all new passenger vehicles
  • Covers AM broadcast band 535-1705 kHz
  • References FEMA IPAWS emergency system
  • Includes provisions for automated driving systems
Model: claude-opus-4
Generated: Jan 10, 2026 17:33

Evidence Chain:

This summary is derived from the structured analysis below. See "Detailed Analysis" for per-title beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.

Primary Purpose

Requires all new passenger vehicles to include AM radio capability for emergency broadcasts

Policy Domains

Transportation Emergency Management Telecommunications

Legislative Strategy

"Preserve emergency broadcast infrastructure through vehicle mandates"

Bill Structure & Actor Mappings

Who is "The Secretary" in each section?

Domains
Transportation Emergency Management
Actor Mappings
"the_administrator"
→ FEMA Administrator

Key Definitions

Terms defined in this bill

1 term
"AM broadcast station" §2

FCC-licensed radio station operating 535-1705 kHz for public reception

We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.

Learn more about our methodology