H.R. 979 - AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025

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Summary

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 would direct the Department of Transportation to establish a rule requiring all new passenger vehicles manufactured or sold in the United States to include AM radio capabilities as standard equipment. AM radio is commonly used to broadcast emergency alerts, news, and entertainment programming. The bill applies to vehicles made after the rule takes effect and requires that AM radio devices be easily accessible to drivers.

Before the rule becomes effective, vehicle manufacturers that do not include AM radio would be required to clearly label this fact to buyers and cannot charge extra fees for AM radio access. The Department of Transportation would have authority to penalize violations, and the Department of Justice could pursue legal action against violators. The rule and DOT's enforcement authority would expire 10 years after the bill becomes law. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office would be required to study how emergency alerts reach the public and assess AM radio's role compared to other alert systems.

This bill has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote in the House, though it has not yet become law and would require presidential signature to do so.

AI-generated summary

Lifecycle of the Bill

Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.

Feb 5, 2025

Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Feb 5, 2025

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Sep 17, 2025

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 50 - 1.

Sep 17, 2025

HearingHouseMarkup

Sep 17, 2025 · 14:00

Markup of Seven Bills

Committee

House Committee on Energy and Commerce

View full hearing

Summary

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a markup on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 10 a.m. (EDT) in the John D. Dingell Room, 2123 Rayburn House Office Building, to consider seven bills addressing healthcare access and communications infrastructure. H.R. 3419 would amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the telehealth network and telehealth resource centers grant programs. The bill reauthorizes programs administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration that aim to improve access to telehealth services by providing technical assistance and other support methods to providers in rural and frontier communities. H.R. 979, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, requires the Department of Transportation to issue a rule requiring AM radio capabilities to be standard in all new passenger vehicles. H.R. 2493 would reauthorize the appropriation of $80 million each year from 2026 through 2030 for the Health Resources and Services Administration to expand delivery of health care services in rural areas, implement integrated health care networks in rural areas, and engage in activities to improve the quality of small rural health care providers. H.R. 2846 would amend title II of the Public Health Service Act to include as an additional right or privilege of commissioned officers of the Public Health Service certain leave provided to commissioned officers of the Army. H.R. 1262, the Give Kids a Chance Act, and H.R. 1843 would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to increase transparency in generic drug applications. H.R. 3302 is the Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2025. H.R. 3419 was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 48 yeas – 0 nays. H.R. 979, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025, was reported to the full House, as amended, by a roll call vote of 50 yeas – 1 nay. H.R. 2493, Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025, was reported to the full House by a roll call vote of 49 yeas – 0 nays. The markup advanced these bills for further consideration by the full House, though passage through the committee does not guarantee they will become law.