Overview
Title
To require the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule requiring access to AM broadcast stations in passenger motor vehicles, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants to make sure every new car can always tune in to AM radio stations, even if the car is made in a different country. This helps keep people informed during emergencies and momentous news events.
Summary AI
S. 315, also known as the “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025,” requires the Secretary of Transportation to implement regulations ensuring all new passenger motor vehicles in the United States have devices installed to access AM broadcast stations. The bill mandates that these devices must be included as standard equipment in vehicles produced domestically, imported, or shipped interstate. It also outlines compliance timelines for vehicle manufacturers and includes provisions for interim measures and enforcement. Moreover, the bill calls for a study by the Government Accountability Office on the role of AM broadcast in emergency communications, with periodic reviews of the rule's impact on public safety.
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AnalysisAI
The proposed legislation, titled the "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025," seeks to mandate that all new passenger vehicles sold in the United States come equipped with devices capable of receiving AM radio broadcasts. The bill outlines the need for a rule to be issued by the Secretary of Transportation to ensure compliance and specifies the inclusion of AM receivers as standard equipment in vehicles, offering an alternative to digital audio AM receivers. Moreover, the legislation prohibits states from enacting conflicting laws and sets forth penalties for non-compliance.
General Summary of the Bill
The main goal of this bill is to ensure continued access to AM radio broadcasts in all passenger vehicles in the United States. By establishing a rule within one year of the bill's enactment, it seeks to make AM radio receivers a mandatory feature in new vehicles, thereby safeguarding a channel of communication that could be vital during emergencies. The bill also includes provisions for a study on emergency alert systems and mandates regular reviews of the legislation’s impact on public safety.
Summary of Significant Issues
The bill presents several significant issues. Firstly, the timeline for issuing the rule and achieving compliance varies between general manufacturers and those producing fewer vehicles, potentially complicating implementation. Secondly, by preventing states from making their own laws on this issue, the bill could face legal challenges related to states' rights. Additionally, there is no specification for how penalties for non-compliance should be determined or capped, potentially resulting in excessive fines. Furthermore, temporary labeling requirements and the alternative provision for digital audio receivers might increase costs or lead to inconsistent compliance. Finally, the sunset clause could create legislative gaps in the future if not adequately addressed.
Impact on the Public Broadly
The bill's impact on the public would mainly revolve around ensuring that AM radio, a long-standing and reliable communication medium, remains accessible in passenger vehicles. AM radio has historically been a crucial system for emergency broadcasts, providing vital information during crises. Enhancing this access could help ensure that drivers receive timely alerts and important safety information, which could be particularly critical in areas prone to natural disasters.
However, requiring AM receivers in all vehicles could potentially increase production costs, which might translate to higher vehicle prices for consumers. Conversely, maintaining access to this traditional form of media supports resilience in emergency communications and might offer some assurance and security to the public.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For vehicle manufacturers, the requirement to integrate AM radios as standard equipment will likely present additional production costs and logistical challenges, especially during the compliance transition period. Smaller manufacturers may face greater difficulties due to different rule timelines, potentially impacting their operations more significantly than larger counterparts.
Radio broadcasters, particularly those operating AM stations, stand to benefit as the legislation ensures a continued audience. This may maintain or even increase the relevance and revenue for AM stations that might otherwise struggle in a digital age.
State governments, on the other hand, could perceive this federal preemption as infringing on their regulatory autonomy, particularly if they have distinct regional needs or policies related to vehicle manufacturing.
Overall, while the bill has commendable objectives regarding public safety and communication, the issues surrounding its implementation and the potential costs involved present various challenges that need to be carefully managed to achieve its intended benefits.
Issues
The timeline for rule issuance and compliance is complicated, with different timelines for general manufacturers and those with fewer than 40,000 vehicles, which might be difficult to implement effectively. This issue can be found in Section 3(b).
The requirement that states cannot implement their own laws regarding access to AM broadcast stations might infringe on states' rights, which could lead to legal challenges. This is described in Section 3(d).
The bill does not specify how penalties are to be determined or capped, potentially leading to disproportionate repercussions for non-compliance. This issue is outlined in Section 3(e).
The provision allowing manufacturers to install digital audio AM receivers might lead to a lack of uniformity in compliance and user experience, which is described in Section 3(a)(3).
The sunset clause might lead to legislative gaps if not addressed through subsequent legislation, as stated in Section 3(h).
The requirement for interim labeling might create unnecessary costs for manufacturers during the transition period. This is found in Section 3(c).
There is no clear mechanism outlined for funding the implementation or enforcement of these rules, which could lead to underfunding and ineffective application, as described in Section 3.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill establishes its official name, “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025.”
2. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
This section outlines definitions for various terms used within the Act, including specific roles like the "Administrator" of FEMA and the "Comptroller General," technical terms related to radio broadcasting and equipment, and entities such as "appropriate committees of Congress" and "States," ensuring clarity in their application throughout the document.
3. AM broadcast stations rule Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill requires that within one year, a rule be established to mandate the inclusion of AM radio receivers in new passenger vehicles in the U.S., making AM radio easily accessible to drivers. The Secretary is responsible for setting an effective rule date and compliance penalties, with a special provision for smaller manufacturers, while also prohibiting states from setting conflicting regulations. Furthermore, a study will be conducted to evaluate emergency communication through AM radio and other technologies, and periodic reviews will assess the rule's impact on public safety.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this bill specifies that the official name of the act is the "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025".
2. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section provides definitions for terms used in the act, such as "Administrator," referring to the head of FEMA, "AM broadcast band," outlining specific radio frequencies, and "passenger motor vehicle," which refers to a certain type of vehicle. It also defines what a "digital audio AM broadcast station" is, describes IPAWS as the U.S. public alert system, and details other terms like "manufacturer," "signal," and "State".
3. AM broadcast stations rule Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section mandates that within a year of the law's passage, a rule must be issued requiring AM radio receivers to be standard equipment in new cars, providing easy access to AM stations. It includes provisions for enforcement, penalties for violations, and a study on emergency alerts through cars, with periodic reviews every five years and a sunset in ten years.