WASHINGTON, D.C. –
The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (S.315 / H.R.979) would require the Department of Transportation to mandate that AM broadcast radio remains a standard, easily accessible, and free feature in all new passenger vehicles. It also requires vehicles lacking AM access during the transition period to carry conspicuous consumer warning labels.
Current Status in Congress:
The legislation has broad bipartisan support in both chambers but has not yet been passed into law. The Senate version (S.315) was advanced by the Senate Commerce Committee, and the House version (H.R.979) has gathered over 260 cosponsors. Lawmakers continue to push for the bill’s passage to ensure the public retains a reliable, free lifeline for local news and emergency alerts through the Emergency Alert System (EAS) during power outages or cell network failures.
On Monday, Will Payne, President of the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters (OAB), spoke with Griffin Media Washington Bureau Chief Alex Cameron about the legislation:
PAYNE: “It’s House Resolution 979, it’s the AM for Every Vehicle Act, and the reason we have to bring this to Congress is the fact that we had AM being threatened to be pulled out of the dash by auto manufacturers…At first, it started out as a conversation that [AM radio] was interfering with electric vehicles, and we found out that it was about a two-dollar part that would keep it from interfering with an electric vehicle. And now we’ve kind of realized, okay, now that automotive manufacturers are wanting to pull AM and FM out of the dash, we think it’s a monetary pull at this point.”
…on why he thinks certain EV carmakers are moving toward removing AM and FM radio from their vehicles”
PAYNE: “I think it’s a matter of being able to charge monthly subscriptions to be able to get whatever’s on the dash. Automotive manufacturers are under pressure to make a profit, and we understand that, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of the American people when it comes to Emergency Alert System and life-saving information.”
…on whether there is still consumer demand for analog radio in cars:
PAYNE: “83% of Americans listen to radio every week — that’s AM, FM, HD radio — so listenership is good; people continue to use it. And what I would encourage anybody to try is, when you’re in the state of Oklahoma, you’re driving to Guymon…see what that cell phone service does, and that’s what you’d be relying on if you didn’t have AM, FM or HD radio to choose from in times of emergency. There are dead spots in our state… we have what’s called the Emergency Alert System where the president, with a push of a button, can speak to the entire nation over AM, FM and HD radio, and that’s what most important, So, we need to keep that ability in the car so in time of emergency we’ll be able to hear from the president or the National Weather Service in time of tornadoes, or amber alerts if a young child is missing; it’s available free on AM, FM, and HD radio without any interruptions from data services.”
