S. 315 — AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025

This section establishes definitions for purposes of the Act, including (1) "AM broadcast band" as the frequencies between 535 kilohertz and 1705 kilohertz; (2) "AM broadcast station" as an FCC-licensed station operating in that band; (3) "digital audio AM broadcast station" as an AM station using specified in-band digital audio broadcasting technology (excluding all-digital AM stations); (4) "IPAWS" as the public alert and warning system under the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 321o); (5) "passenger motor vehicle" and "standard equipment" as defined in motor vehicle safety law (49 U.S.C. §§ 32101, 30102(a)); and (6) other terms such as "Administrator" (FEMA Administrator), "Secretary" (Transportation Secretary), "device," "receive," "signal," and "State" (including tribes).

This section directs the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), to issue a rule within one year of enactment requiring devices capable of receiving and playing AM broadcast station signals as standard equipment in passenger motor vehicles manufactured in the United States for sale there, imported into the United States, or shipped in interstate commerce after the rule's effective date, with such access easily accessible to drivers; manufacturers may comply using digital audio AM receivers. The section establishes compliance timelines of 2-3 years after rule issuance for most manufacturers and at least 4 years for those producing no more than 40,000 passenger motor vehicles for sale in the United States in 2022. As an interim measure until the rule's effective date, the section requires manufacturers of noncompliant vehicles to provide clear labeling notifying purchasers of the absence of AM receivers and prohibits any additional fees for AM access. The section preempts state and local laws on AM access in passenger motor vehicles; makes violations subject to civil penalties under 49 U.S.C. §30165(a)(1); and authorizes the Attorney General to seek injunctions under 49 U.S.C. §30163. The section further requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study on emergency alerts via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)—assessing the role of AM radio in vehicles, its advantages and limitations relative to other technologies, and related issues—with a congressional briefing within one year of enactment and a report 180 days thereafter; the study must consult specified stakeholders. The section requires review of the rule at least every five years after issuance.