The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, a bipartisan effort to preserve AM radio in new vehicles, has advanced out of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, marking a significant step toward ensuring the medium’s accessibility. However, a new amendment shortening the bill’s lifespan to eight years has sparked concerns among broadcasters about the long-term survival of AM radio, a medium long valued for its role in delivering emergency alerts and community information according to a report from Radioink.
The bill, HR 979, spearheaded by Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ), mandates that automakers include AM radio as standard equipment in all new vehicles, including electric models. The legislation frames AM radio as a critical safety feature, particularly for its reliability during emergencies when other communication systems may fail. With 300 co-sponsors in the House and 61 in the Senate, the bill enjoys robust bipartisan support, reflecting widespread recognition of AM radio’s public service role.
The committee’s markup session, which followed debates on rural healthcare, telehealth, and drug transparency measures, was not without compromise. To secure automaker support and move the bill toward a House floor vote, Rep. Bilirakis introduced an amendment reducing the bill’s sunset period from ten to eight years. This means the Department of Transportation’s authority to enforce the AM radio mandate will expire in 2033 unless Congress renews it. The shortened timeline introduces an earlier checkpoint to reassess the mandate’s costs, technological relevance, and implementation, a concession that drew reluctant acceptance from supporters who saw it as necessary to advance the legislation.
If passed in 2025, the Department of Transportation would issue an implementing rule in 2026, with automakers facing staggered compliance deadlines. Major manufacturers would need to include AM radio by 2028–2029, mid-size producers by 2029–2030, and smaller companies by 2030–2031. For smaller automakers, this could mean complying with the mandate for as little as two years before the 2033 expiration, raising questions about the mandate’s long-term impact.
The bill’s advancement comes amid broader challenges for AM radio. On the same day, lobbyists for the American Music Fairness Act gathered at the Rayburn House Office Building, advocating for new royalty fees on broadcasters. Wearing “No Radio Without Royalties” shirts, the group highlighted ongoing tensions between the music industry and broadcasters, who argue that AM radio’s free emergency services should not face additional financial burdens. The AMFA, with only 11 House and 5 Senate co-sponsors, has gained little traction compared to the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.
As the bill awaits scheduling by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), its Senate companion legislation faces a similar wait under Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD). The National Association of Broadcasters has urged swift passage, emphasizing AM radio’s role in delivering reliable emergency information. Yet, with the eight-year sunset clause, the medium’s future remains uncertain, as technological shifts and industry pressures could reshape its relevance by 2033.
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