A groundbreaking legislative initiative has been introduced today by a bipartisan and bicameral group of lawmakers, led by Senators Ed Markey (MA), Ted Cruz (TX), Tammy Baldwin (WI), Deb Fischer (NE), Ben Ray Luján (NM), J.D. Vance (OH), and Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Bruce Westerman (AR-4), Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-7), Rob Menendez (NJ-8), and Maria Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-3).
The group is pushing back against the trend among some automakers to exclude AM radio from new vehicles.
The proposed law, entitled the ‘AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act,’ charges the Secretary of Transportation with ensuring the accessibility of AM radio in every motor vehicle.
This momentous legislation was lauded by Curtis LeGeyt, President and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), who commended the lawmakers for their advocacy on behalf of AM radio listeners.
He expressed the necessity of this legislation in terms of the millions of Americans who depend on AM radio as a primary source of news, entertainment, and, crucially, safety information.
“As the backbone of the Emergency Alert System, AM radio is indispensable for rapidly spreading crucial information during crises,” said LeGeyt.
“This ensures our communities remain safe and informed. We, at the NAB, praise the bill’s authors and supporters for recognizing AM radio’s critical role in our nation’s public safety infrastructure.”
The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act stipulates a one-year period for the Secretary of Transportation to implement a standard, mandating the inclusion of AM radio reception and playback in all new motor vehicles in the U.S. The vehicle’s dashboard should clearly display this feature.
From the enactment of the legislation to the enforcement of the new standard, vehicles sold without an AM radio receiver must be distinctly labelled for prospective buyers.
About the National Association of Broadcasters:
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is the leading advocacy organization for American broadcasters.
NAB endeavors to uphold the interests of radio and television broadcasters in legislative, regulatory, and public affairs.
The NAB is committed to empowering broadcasters to effectively serve their communities, enhance their businesses, and exploit emerging opportunities in the digital era. For more information, please visit www.nab.org.