H.R. 979: AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025
Sponsor
Gus Bilirakis
Republican · FL-12
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Nov 12, 2025
Placed on House floor schedule, Calendar No. 330.
AM radio should come standard in every new car
Why it matters
Automakers have been quietly cutting AM radio from new models, and it has vanished fastest from electric ones. H.R. 979 would put it back as free, built-in equipment — no add-on fee, no premium trim — with most manufacturers on a two-year clock once the rule lands and smaller ones getting at least four. Congress ties the mandate to emergency alerts, arguing AM still reaches people when the power grid and cell networks go down.
H.R. 979 tells the Transportation Department to write a rule requiring most new passenger vehicles sold in the United States to include AM radio as standard equipment. The receiver has to be built in from the start, not offered as a paid add-on.
The department gets 1 year to issue the rule. After that, most automakers would have no more than 2 years to comply. Smaller manufacturers that produced 40,000 or fewer vehicles for U.S. sale in 2022 would get at least 4 years.
Before the rule kicks in, carmakers selling vehicles without AM would have to say so clearly on the label. They also could not charge a separate fee for AM access during that transition period.
The bill leans as much on safety as convenience. It requires a Transportation Department report on whether AM reception creates problems for advanced automated vehicles, and it orders GAO to study whether other emergency-alert tools can reach at least 90% of the U.S. population during a crisis, including at night.
H.R. 979 also sets one federal standard, so states and local governments could not write their own AM-radio rules for passenger vehicles. The mandate would sunset 8 years after enactment unless Congress renews it.
H.R. 979 Bill Summary
What H.R. 979 actually does.
AM radio becomes a standard car feature
The Transportation Department must issue a rule within 1 year requiring new passenger vehicles sold in the United States to include equipment that can receive and play AM broadcasts.
You cannot be charged extra for AM access
The bill says AM capability must be included in the vehicle's base configuration, not sold as a separate paid feature. During the transition period, manufacturers also cannot add a separate fee for AM access.
Most automakers get 2 years to comply
Once the rule is issued, most manufacturers must meet it within no more than 2 years. Companies that produced 40,000 or fewer vehicles for U.S. sale in 2022 get a longer runway of at least 4 years.
Cars without AM would need a clear label
Until the federal rule takes effect, any covered vehicle sold without AM reception would need clear and conspicuous labeling so buyers know what is missing before they purchase.
Advanced-vehicle safety gets a formal review
Before issuing the rule, the Transportation Department must publicly evaluate whether AM reception could create safety or innovation problems for Level 3, 4, or 5 automated driving systems.
Congress orders a 90% emergency-alert test
GAO must study whether IPAWS-connected alert technologies can reach at least 90% of the U.S. population during a crisis, including overnight, and brief Congress within 1 year.
One national rule replaces state-by-state rules
States, territories, tribes, and local governments could not impose separate AM-radio access requirements for passenger vehicles once the bill is enacted.
Who benefits from H.R. 979?
Drivers who expect radio to work in an emergency
If you buy a new car, H.R. 979 is meant to make sure AM is still there when power is out, cell service is strained, or local emergency information is moving over broadcast radio.
Car buyers who do not want surprise missing features
During the transition, shoppers would get clear labeling if a vehicle lacks AM. After the rule takes effect, AM would need to be built in as standard equipment rather than hidden behind a trim package or add-on.
AM broadcasters and communities that still rely on them
AM stations would keep access to new vehicles nationwide, including stations using the digital AM system the bill allows for compliance.
Small-volume automakers
Manufacturers under the 40,000-vehicle threshold get extra time to adjust designs, supplier contracts, and production plans before the mandate applies to them.
Who is affected by H.R. 979?
Large automakers removing AM from some models
These companies would have to keep or restore AM capability in covered vehicles sold in the U.S., even if they had moved toward digital-only entertainment systems.
Electric and advanced-technology vehicle makers
Some manufacturers have argued AM can create interference or design challenges. H.R. 979 still requires access, though the bill also requires a federal review of those concerns.
States and local governments
They could not create their own separate AM-radio equipment rules for passenger vehicles because the bill sets a single national standard.
Federal regulators
The Transportation Department, FEMA, FCC, and GAO all get assigned work: rulemaking, consultation, a public report, and an emergency-alert study.
HR979 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Nov 12, 2025
Committee on Transportation discharged.
House: Vote: 50-1
Sep 17, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 50 - 1.
House: Committee Action
Feb 5, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
About the Sponsor
Gus Bilirakis
Republican, Florida's 12th congressional district · 19 years in Congress
Committees: Energy and Commerce, House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party
View full profile →
Cosponsors (317)
This bill has 317 cosponsors: 158 Democrats, 159 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 50 states: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, and 47 more.
Frank Pallone
Democrat · NJ
Daniel Meuser
Republican · PA
Richard Hudson
Republican · NC
Randy Weber
Republican · TX
Mark Alford
Republican · MO
Nicholas Langworthy
Republican · NY
Frank Lucas
Republican · OK
Deborah Ross
Democrat · NC
Doug LaMalfa
Republican · CA
Janice Schakowsky
Democrat · IL
Darren Soto
Democrat · FL
Marie Perez
Democrat · WA
Cosponsor Coverage Map
Committee Sponsors
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
53 of 66 committee members cosponsored
Homeland Security Committee
22 of 31 committee members cosponsored
Energy and Commerce Committee
39 of 54 committee members cosponsored
22 Republicans across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 979 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Transportation and Infrastructure
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Introduced
- Feb 5, 2025
Placed on House floor schedule, Calendar No. 330.
Nov 12, 2025
Official Sources
Official bill page with status, text, sponsors, and actions for the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025.
The bill directs the Department of Transportation to issue a vehicle rule, and NHTSA is the DOT agency that typically handles motor vehicle safety regulations.
The bill specifically orders a study about whether IPAWS-connected alert technologies can reach 90% of the U.S. population during emergencies.
The bill assigns the Comptroller General a study on emergency-alert reach, so GAO’s reports portal is a relevant official source.
The bill requires DOT to evaluate potential impacts on Level 3, 4, and 5 automated driving systems before issuing the AM-radio rule.
The bill defines digital audio AM broadcast stations by reference to 47 CFR 73.402, the federal regulation covering relevant AM digital broadcasting terms.
The bill defines IPAWS by reference to section 526 of the Homeland Security Act, codified at 6 U.S.C. 321o.
H.R. 979 Common Questions
Would H.R. 979 make AM radio mandatory in every new car?
In most new passenger vehicles sold in the U.S., yes. H.R. 979 tells the Transportation Department to require built-in AM radio as standard equipment.
When would automakers actually have to comply?
The Transportation Department gets 1 year to issue the rule. After that, most automakers would have no more than 2 years to comply, while smaller manufacturers get at least 4 years.
Could a car company charge extra for AM radio?
No. H.R. 979 says AM has to be standard equipment, built into the base price — not a paid add-on or a feature locked behind a subscription. Even during the transition, manufacturers cannot tack on a separate fee for AM access.
What happens before the AM rule takes effect?
If a new covered vehicle is sold without AM during the transition, the manufacturer would have to use clear labeling to tell buyers the feature is missing.
Does H.R. 979 allow digital AM radio?
Yes. The bill lets automakers comply with receivers that can play digital AM broadcasts using the In Band On Channel system. It does not cover all-digital AM stations.
What does AM radio have to do with emergency alerts?
Congress frames AM as backup infrastructure for disasters, when the power grid and cell networks can fail. H.R. 979 orders GAO to study whether other alert tools can reach at least 90% of the U.S. population during a crisis, including at night.
Does the bill address self-driving or highly automated vehicles?
Yes. Before issuing the rule, the Transportation Department must publicly review whether AM reception could create safety or innovation problems for Level 3, 4, or 5 automated vehicles.
Would states be able to set their own AM-radio rules for cars?
No. H.R. 979 would create one national standard, so states, territories, tribes, and local governments could not set separate AM-access rules for passenger vehicles.
Based on H.R. 979 bill text
H.R. 979 Bill Text
“To require the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule requiring access to AM broadcast stations in motor vehicles, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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