Young Supports Bill to Protect Access to AM Radio for Hoosiers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Todd Young, a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, cosponsored the bipartisan AM for Every Vehicle Act. This bill would guarantee the ongoing availability of AM broadcast in new vehicles without any additional costs to the consumer.

“AM radio plays a vital role in preserving public safety across Indiana. By delivering important weather updates, local news, and emergency and disaster response information, this bill will ensure Hoosiers – especially those in the most rural areas –  continue to have access to this critical communication tool,” said Senator Young.

The AM for Every Vehicle Act would:

• Direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a rule that requires automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their vehicles without a separate or additional payment, fee, or surcharge;
• Require any automaker that sells vehicles without access to AM broadcast radio before the effective date of the NHTSA regulation to clearly disclose to consumers that the vehicle lacks access to AM broadcast radio; and
• Direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study whether alternative communication systems could fully replicate the reach and effectiveness of AM broadcast radio for alerting the public to emergencies.

The text of the legislation can be found here.