House Panel Advances AM Radio Vehicle Bill

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, May 28, 2026 | 2:54pm CT

National Association of Broadcasters

A key congressional committee has advanced the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, moving the bipartisan legislation one step closer to becoming law.

In a recent post on the NAB Blog, Carrie Healey, Vice President of Communications for the National Association of Broadcasters, said the House Energy and Commerce Committee included the legislation in its surface transportation package last week.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act would require automakers to maintain AM radio access in new vehicles. It would also mandate consumer disclosures if AM radio is not included in a vehicle and direct the federal government to study whether alternative technologies can match AM radio's role in emergency communications and public safety.

Healey noted that AM radio continues to play a critical role during emergencies, including hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and other disasters when other communication systems may fail. The blog also highlighted AM radio's importance to rural communities through local news, agriculture programming, and diverse content offerings.

According to the NAB, the legislation has received broad bipartisan support from lawmakers as well as backing from public safety, consumer, and community organizations.

During committee discussions on the bill, several members of Congress spoke in support of AM radio's value as a trusted source of local information and emergency alerts.

The NAB is urging Congress to approve the legislation and has encouraged supporters to contact lawmakers through its advocacy campaign.

Read the entire blog post here.