Hurricanes prompt another letter from Attorneys General to Congress about passing the “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2024”

OCTOBER 8, 2024:

In the wake of Hurricane Helene and with Hurricane Milton approaching, Attorneys General from a dozen states– including South Dakota– are stressing the importance of AM radios in times of emergencies.

Attorney General Marty Jackley is one of the 12 who are urging Congress to pass the “AM Radio For Every Vehicle Act of 2024.” In a letter to Congressional leaders, the Attorneys General said they have concerns about car manufacturers not including AM radios– free of charge– in new vehicles. He says AM Radio is important in rural states like South Dakota, where people use it to tune in for emergency information, as well as for their local news, news, sports, weather forecast and more.

Jackley says Hurricane Helene has demonstrated the importance of AM Radio as a vital communication device that provides life-saving information to citizens. He says nearly 80 AM radio stations across the country are Primary Entry Points for emergency alerts distributed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service. Those stations, alone, cover approximately 90% of the US population and ensure that state and federal agencies can quickly distribute life-saving information across vast geographical areas.

Other Attorney Generals who are part of the letter are from: Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.

The letter can be found here.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2024:

Efforts to keep AM radio in the dashboards of U.S. vehicles have taken a step forward in the U.S. House. The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted 45-2 this week (Sept. 18, 2024) to send the proposed AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act to the full House for a vote.

“It’s been a stalwart of American prosperity and information sharing,” says Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC). “Having AM radio available is important to my constituents, especially during emergencies.”

If passed by the full House, the proposed Act would require the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule requiring access to AM broadcast stations in motor vehicles. If they don’t, automakers would get fined.

The role of AM during natural disasters was cited by several lawmakers as they spoke during the bill’s markup, noting that the Federal Emergency Management Agency spent millions solidifying the Emergency Alert System with AM radio as the backbone of the EAS.

MAY 28, 2024:

Lawmakers recently advanced the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act out of a subcommittee (May 23, 2024). The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce’s marked up and passed the legislation for full committee consideration.

The action follows a subcommittee hearing on April 30, 2024, and mirrors the draft legislative language that was the focus of hearing. Representatives from the National Association of Broadcasting and the National Association of Farm Broadcasting attended that hearing.

During Thursday’s (May 23, 2024) markup, Representative Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat, noted that automakers are ready to commit to voluntarily keeping AM radio in vehicles but added, “I also think AM radio should be in all — in cars as well as trucks, boats, agriculture, and recreational vehicles. I think we need to study those issues.”

Legislation to require AM radio as a safety feature in all vehicles currently has 61 cosponsors in the Senate and 254 cosponsors in the House of Representatives.

APRIL 25, 2024:

Tuesday (April 30, 2024), the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing to discuss keeping AM radio accessible in automobiles.

National Farmers Union President Rob Larew says free, over the air AM radio is critical to rural America. He says automakers shouldn’t limit access to information.

“In terms of like emergency information and getting the word out, obviously, that is a key part of making sure that everyone continues to have access to good information, including AM radio. So the idea of placing restrictions on that really cuts to the core of one of the themes here and that is if we’re going to continue to have a strong democracy and continue to make sure that folks can stay informed and make sure that we have good information out there, that requires good access to information, good access to all sources, regardless of where you’re at, particularly in rural America, that is critically important in a disaster but also all times and so AM radio access continues to be a hot issue.”

Larew says it’s also a concern for quality of life in rural America.

“That’s just right. there are so many things that we can point to, whether it’s access to broadband, right? Or whether it’s access to adequate health care facilities and so forth. Rural America kind of takes it on the chin in so many different ways, limiting access to information to actually help them in their communities and with their livelihoods on the farms is just really going the absolute wrong direction, we will continue to fight.”

Use this link to submit your comments about the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.

MARCH 8, 2024:

The AM for Every Vehicle Act has hit the magic number of voting co-sponsors it will need to ensure passage through the House of Representatives. Sponsors of the House legislation, led by New Jersey Representative Josh Gottheimer, announced they had picked up the 218th voting supporter. The majority of votes is necessary because Kentucky Senator Rand Paul blocked a bipartisan-driven majority consent vote in November 2023. He’s seeking to override the AM mandate and instead use the legislation to end electric vehicle subsidies under the American Vehicle Tax Credit.

As the bill moves closer to the goal, the Department of Transportation is ready to implement the legislation. In a February interview, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said he’s “ready to run with the Act the moment Congress gets it done.” The Act has picked up massive public support, including more than 400,000 emails, letters, and social media posts directed to Senators and Representatives.

JANUARY 29, 2024:

During their annual meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah this month (Jan. 19-24,2024), delegates of The American Farm Bureau Federation adopted policy to support the continued inclusion of AM radios in vehicles.

Sam Kieffer, AFBF Vice President of Public Policy, says the AM radio resolution stems from rural residents making their voice heard.

“We’ve got State Farm Bureaus all across the country, and each one of those State Farm Bureaus has several county Farm Bureaus, some of them have hundreds, and that’s really where our grassroots policy process starts. And when our members across the country see an issue that needs to be resolved or needs attention, they get engaged and not only identify the problem but propose a solution. What our delegates here in Salt Lake City approved was language that gives us firm footing in supporting legislation that would make sure that AM radio stays in automobiles as they are manufactured.”

Kieffer says Farm Bureau delegates understand the importance of AM radio as a means to stay informed, and to provide safety during severe weather events.

“Well, our folks have long relied on communications of every means to stay informed. Agriculture is done where the land is, and a lot of our members who live in rural areas, some of which are very remote, FM is certainly not as reliable, sometimes cell phone services isn’t even available, usually AM is. And it’s a great opportunity for them to stay abreast of very important things like weather and news and keeps them connected. In many ways, it’s a safety issue. You might think of tornadoes or hurricanes or things of that nature, and it’s a great opportunity to stay informed, particularly when there’s no FM or cell phone service available.”

Adopting the policy resolution gives the AFBF policy team the power to advocate with lawmakers on the issue.

“Vehicle manufacturers have heard from the rural communities and agriculture in general and have made adjustments. But the adoption of this policy language means that we can get behind members of Congress who want to make sure that these communications capabilities and mechanisms are not restricted moving forward, either by government edict or by manufacturing trends. Again, what we’ve seen is some of the manufacturers have reacted and responded and we want to make sure that remains a priority.”

Kieffer says this is just another way for Farm Bureau to support rural families.

“Farm Bureau’s a big tent organization, and if it’s important to rural communities, it’s important to us. And we appreciate the opportunity to work with all who have a vested interest in rural America, and this is just another example of that.”

JANUARY 19, 2024:

The radio industry hit an important milestone as the number of lawmakers in the House who back efforts to make AM radio mandatory in vehicles has reached 200. The list has grown even as the proposed AM Radio in Every Vehicle Act has yet to make much legislative progress in the House.

Insider Radio says the growth in support could be critical if bill sponsors try to attach the measure to a piece of must-pass legislation like a spending bill. National Association of Broadcasters spokesman Alex Siciliano credits grassroots support for helping broadcasters to gain so many cosponsors of the Act during the past year.

“AM radio is continuing to reach a vast audience of 82 million listeners each month, and they’ve been very engaged in telling Congress how important this medium is to them in light of the threat by vehicle makers to remove AM from vehicles,” Siciliano says.

NOVEMBER 27, 2023:

The agricultural industry has been one of the biggest supporters of the “AM for Every Vehicle Act” since its introduction. Radio Ink says the industry has spending power of more than $576 billion spread across millions of workers. MRI-Simmons, the leading study of American consumer attitudes and behaviors, explored the media choices of agricultural workers. Those workers are big audio consumers, with more than half qualifying as heavy listeners. They listen to audio 60 percent more than the internet and 51 percent more than television. At the other end of the media spectrum, close to half of all ag workers fall into the light user category for internet and TV and outnumber the heavy users. Eight in 10 ag workers favor AM/FM and tune into radio, ahead of streaming audio, podcasts, and satellite radio. The heavy audio usage is likely because of the fact that it’s an “everywhere” media with easy access.

NOVEMBER 20, 2023:

The federal AM for Every Vehicle Act is gaining bipartisan support in Congress.

FEMA Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (I-PAWS) Program Manager Manny Centeno says AM radio is the backbone of the nation’s public warning system.

National Association of Broadcasters Executive VP of Government Relations Shawn Donilon says they know they have more than 40 supporting votes in the Senate.

Centeno says car manufactures are putting pressure on FEMA.

South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds is a co-sponsor of the bill in the Senate. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley is among a group of AG’s across the country that sent a letter to Congress in support of the bill.

OCTOBER 24, 2023:

A coalition of agriculture groups has sent a letter (Oct. 2023) to lawmakers voicing support for the AM Radio in Every Vehicle Act.

National Farmers Union President Rob Larew says AM radio is too important for rural America for it to be removed from all vehicles.

“This is one of these issues that continues to show that whether we’re talking about some cases government but also companies like these auto companies who just kind of discount and kind of overlook rural America and the needs that are there. Am radio is too important for our news, for local information, for emergency services, to just toss it away. So, we’re happy to be supportive, and we were happy to join a number of rural facing organizations to tell Congress it’s time to pass something to stop these automakers from removing the ability to access am radio.”

Larew encourages all listeners of AM radio to reach out to their lawmakers.

“We can never assume that things are going to continue on this path, right? We have to keep the drumbeat up because certainly we have a number of companies right now that are removing those receivers already. So, we have this gap already happening and that’s just going to continue to grow. So, it is really important for anyone whether they’re Farmers Union members or anyone listening to the farm broadcast, listening to local radio, any of those services across AM radio stations here, this is really important to reach out to your members of Congress to your senators and let them know that you expect them to not only cosponsor the bill, but the push to see it actually move.”

Other organizations signing onto the letter include the Latino Farmers & Ranchers International, Inc., Livestock Marketing Association, National Grange, National Farmers Union, U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, Independent Beef Association of North Dakota, Independent Cattlemen’s Association of Texas, and the North Dakota Farmers Union.

OCTOBER 13, 2023:

Nine organizations representing rural and agricultural interests wrote a letter to Congress in support of passing the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.

“AM radio is an essential communications medium in rural America,” the letter says. “Local news, weather, and sports reporters are recognized as respected sources for information that affects the lives of millions of rural residents.”

The letter was sent to lawmakers by multiple groups like the Independent Cattlemen’s Association of Texas, the Latino Farmers & Ranchers International, the Livestock Marketing Association, the National Farmers Union, the National Grange, and others. The letter touts the reach of traditional AM radio broadcasts that carry a strong signal over significant distances, even during catastrophic weather events. FEMA also relies on AM radio to deliver critical public safety information. “When power goes out in rural America and cell networks drop, households can still get emergency information through their radios,” the letter adds.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023:

NEW YORK (AP) — Many baseball fans, especially older ones, originally fell in love with America’s pastime by listening to ballgames on AM radio. In fact, next month (Oct. 2023) will mark the 100th anniversary of the first World Series broadcast to a national radio audience. But a century later, some consider AM stations a dying medium in the modern age of digital technology. Several major automakers are eliminating broadcast AM radio from newer models, prompting lawmakers on Capitol Hill to propose legislation that would prevent the practice for safety and other reasons. A bill with bipartisan support, the “AM for Every Vehicle Act” is winding its way through Congress. In the meantime, there’s no denying the profound impact AM radio has had on the growth and popularity of baseball through the years.

Extended version:

NEW YORK (AP) — Growing up in the Boston suburbs, Suzyn Waldman fell madly in love with two things: baseball and Broadway shows.

During the 1950s and ’60s, the long arm of AM radio brought both into her home.

“I can still hear Ned Martin of the Red Sox reciting poetry about the mountains in Anaheim,” said Waldman, the pioneer announcer and former star of musical stage who’s been calling New York Yankees games for decades. “I can still hear Curt Gowdy with that Wyoming twang.

“Not everyone can remember who their first television broadcasters were — but everyone knows who the radio team was. Everyone.”

Like many fans, especially older ones, Waldman originally got hooked by America’s pastime listening to ballgames on an AM signal. In fact, next month will mark the 100th anniversary of the first World Series broadcast to a national radio audience, when Graham McNamee and Ford Frick were among those who called the 1923 Fall Classic between the Giants and Yankees on NBC.

A century later, however, some consider AM stations a dying medium in the modern age of digital technology. Several major automakers are eliminating broadcast AM radio from newer models — prompting lawmakers on Capitol Hill to propose legislation that would prevent the practice for safety and other reasons.

A bill with bipartisan support, the “AM for Every Vehicle Act” is winding its way through Congress.

“Not all change is progress,” Waldman said.

To be sure, from satellite radio and streaming services to FM stations and cell phone apps, baseball fans nowadays have all sorts of options for tuning in their favorite team — even all 30 teams — whether their car features AM radio or not.

But those options aren’t necessarily free. And it’s not necessarily that simple.

Because for generations of fans, the warm memory of climbing into the family car on a hot summer night and finding the ballgame on that dashboard dial, leaning in to listen pitch by pitch with mom or dad over the persistent static of crackling AM airwaves, is the kind of age-of-innocence nostalgia that evokes “Field of Dreams.”

“I still like baseball on the radio,” John Thorn, official historian for MLB, said in an email. “I suspect that is not only because it is my favorite game, but also because it is a stop-action sport whose rhythms are well-suited to pauses, visualization by the listener, and reflection about the wonder of being ‘there’ at a distant game.”

Even if the future of AM radio is uncertain, there’s no denying its impact on the growth and popularity of baseball.

The marriage dates all the way back to Aug. 5, 1921, when Harold Arlin delivered the first play-by-play broadcast of a big league game between the Phillies and Pirates at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh on KDKA.

“Joined at the hip,” said longtime New York Mets announcer Howie Rose, who is 69. “What radio has meant to baseball and vice versa is probably the quintessential symbiotic relationship.”

It’s a romantic history, too, thick with unmistakable voices and signature calls forever immortalized as the familiar soundtracks to those grainy old highlight reels of Joe DiMaggio, Willie Mays and Ted Williams.

And beloved broadcasters, community icons still inexorably linked to their teams even generations later: Mel Allen (Yankees), Red Barber (Brooklyn Dodgers), Ernie Harwell (Detroit Tigers), Russ Hodges (New York Giants), Bob Prince (Pittsburgh Pirates), Chuck Thompson (Baltimore Orioles), just to name a few.

And charming tales, including a young Ronald Reagan, long before becoming the 40th president of the United States, announcing Chicago Cubs games in Iowa during the 1930s by recreating play-by-play at Wrigley Field that was initially transmitted via Morse code.

“Some clubs resisted the advent of radio, as they later would the introduction of television, believing it would deter attendance at the game,” the 76-year-old Thorn said. “But like the introduction of night baseball in 1935, radio had already brought major league games to the working class, and especially to women.”

Indeed, AM radio provided a gateway to the game for all sorts of folks at a time in America when ballpark stands were mostly filled with white men.

Before cable television took over, it was the long range of clear-channel AM stations that carried baseball all over the country and gave fans living far from big league cities the chance to follow a favorite team.

“Milo Hamilton and Ernie Johnson, Atlanta Braves, under the covers. My dad would come in, get on me, and then go, `What’s the score?’ The Braves, that’s the one thing we could pick up,” said 67-year-old Mets manager Buck Showalter, raised on the Florida panhandle. “Listening to Hank Aaron, Rico Carty. I can tell you the whole Braves lineup.”

KMOX in St. Louis, with its powerful signal reaching all over the central and southern United States, spawned countless Cardinals fans from Minnesota to Mississippi and beyond, as Hall of Fame broadcasters Harry Caray and Jack Buck described the scintillating exploits of Stan Musial, Lou Brock, Bob Gibson and more.

“You think about the teams that first started broadcasting on the radio, whether it was the Pirates or the Cardinals or the Reds, on these enormous clear-channel stations, it definitely grew the game,” said 65-year-old Mets announcer Gary Cohen.

“It definitely brought the game home for fans who were too far away to attend in person. At a time when most baseball was during the day and a lot of working people couldn’t attend, they could listen on the radio. So yeah, I mean, the connection between AM radio and baseball is not only one in terms of just entertaining the fans, but also creating fans.”

One of them was Rick Rizzs, the longtime Seattle Mariners broadcaster who spent his childhood on the South Side of Chicago.

“With that little magical transistor radio, that AM radio, you could not only get your teams, but maybe four or five other teams, wherever you were located,” said Rizzs, who turns 70 in November.

“So your baseball horizon was expanded, not just the Cubs and the White Sox, but to the Milwaukee Braves, at the time, or maybe when the weather was just right you could get the St. Louis Cardinals or the Detroit Tigers, or whoever was playing somewhere nearby. But because of AM radio, it expanded your chance to hear about all the stars that you had in your mind.”

AUGUST 28, 2023:

Most members of Congress are spending their August recess back in their districts and that could prove to be advantageous for radio as they are reminded of the role local radio plays, especially AM stations. Before lawmakers left town, a Senate committee advanced a bill that would help ensure AM stays in vehicle dashboards. Efforts are also underway in the House.

“I was at Farmfest in Redwood County earlier this month, and the people I talked to agreed: AM radio is critical for rural communities,” Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) says. “AM radio is also critical for public safety – across Minnesota we see just how vital this system is,” she writes in an op-ed in the Detroit Lakes Tribune.

Klobuchar is one of the co-sponsors of the proposed AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (S. 1669). It would require carmakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in new vehicles at no additional charge. For car models that have already dropped the feature, until it can be brought back, the proposal would mandate a warning label alerting buyers what is missing to be slapped on the window at the dealer showroom.

Faced with pressure from Washington and an uproar from the radio industry over plans to remove AM radio from its cars and trucks, Ford Motor Company reversed course in May and said that it would keep AM radio in its new vehicles. Other brands, including General Motors, BMW, Mazda, Rivian, Volkswagen, and Volvo have also shown some commitment to AM. But other brands are sticking with plans to focus on FM and streaming and digital capabilities in their dashboards, especially electric vehicle models.

Klobuchar says the car industry is showing it is out of touch with what consumers want.

“Auto executives have threatened to pull AM radio out of newer models of some of their vehicles. Maybe from their headquarters, it doesn’t seem like people care about AM radio anymore, but I bet if they took a drive through rural Minnesota, they would take a different view,” she writes.

Klobuchar points out that the bill has secured support from conservatives like Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) to progressive Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), with the National Association of Farm Broadcasters and several members of the Federal Communications Commission also speaking out in favor of the AM requirement. “We shouldn’t have to sacrifice safety, news, and a way of life simply because some car manufacturers want to make more profits. Let’s get this passed,” she writes in the op-ed.

The Senate Commerce Committee advanced the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act bill in a late July vote, and it now awaits a vote in the full Senate.

No action has been taken on the House version (H.R.3413) so far, but even during the August recess support has grown. So far this month a half dozen lawmakers from both sides of the aisle – including Reps. Mike Johnson (R-LA), Susie Lee (D-NV), Ron Estes (R-KS), Mark Alford (R-MO), Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Troy Nehls (R-TX) – have joined as cosponsors, bringing the total number of House supporters to 147. During a House hearing on the bill in June, there was strong support for keeping AM radio in vehicles, although a few lawmakers expressed some concerns about putting a mandate on carmakers.

JULY 28, 2023:

With near-unanimous bipartisan support, a bill that would help ensure AM radio remains in vehicle dashboards is moving quickly in Congress. The Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday (July 27, 2023) advanced the proposed AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (S. 1669) with only Michigan Democrat Gary Peters voting against the proposal. “AM radio is a central source of local news, weather and emergency information, and this is important legislation to make sure that it remains a part of what consumers have access to,” Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) said during the Committee vote. Cantwell, along with three other lawmakers, has in recent days become a cosponsor to the bill.

The bill now goes onto the full Senate for consideration, something that will not happen until lawmakers return from their month-long August recess. If passed, the proposed AM Radio for Every Vehicle would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a rule that requires automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their vehicles without a separate or additional payment, fee, or surcharge. The Government Accountability Office would also be required to study whether alternative communication systems could fully replicate the reach and effectiveness of AM broadcast radio for alerting the public to emergencies.

Senator Edward Markey (D-MA), who first brought the issue to the attention of Congress and many in radio last December when he wrote to carmakers asking them to detail their plans for AM radio in electric vehicles, said the bill is not about favoring one industry over another. Instead, he said is about making sure safety technology is close at hand as emergency alerts become more pressing as climate change impacts the weather.

“Emergency management officers say that the removal of AM radio from vehicles poses a distinct threat to public safety,” Markey said during Thursday’s vote, noting he also believes that the shift to electric cars is the right thing to do to ensure a cleaner, greener future – but that those cars should also include access to alerts. “Every driver and passenger deserve to have the same access to AM radio as their counterparts in gas-fired cars,” Markey said.

In a statement, the National Association of Broadcasters celebrated the vote. “This legislation will ensure that the tens of millions of AM radio listeners across the country retain access to local news, diverse community programming and emergency information,” NAB President Curtis LeGeyt said. “Moreover, this legislation enables AM radio’s continued role as the backbone of the nation’s Emergency Alert System.”

The bipartisan nature of the bill has been a welcome break in an evenly divided Congress. Markey’s Senate version of the bill has 14 Republicans and 12 Democrats as cosponsors. This week four more, including two from each party were added, including Democrats Cantwell and Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Republicans Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Todd Young (R-IN).

Ranking Republican Ted Cruz (R-TX), who is also a cosponsor of the bill, has been among its most vocal advocates on Capitol Hill and has helped to bring several members of the GOP onboard.

“Unfortunately, several automakers have announced plans to take this important resource out of cars. That’s a big mistake,” Cruz said Thursday. “AM radio plays a critical role in delivering emergency alerts. It’s also a platform for talk radio, and many minority and ethnic focus stations, all of which are homes for alternative viewpoints and diverse audiences.”

A ’Gut Punch’ To Listeners

Faced with pressure from Washington and an uproar from the radio industry, Ford Motor Company reversed course in May and said that it will keep AM radio in its new vehicles. Executives said Ford’s electric vehicles will get an online software update to put AM back into the vehicles later this year. But other brands have yet to be convinced. Their responses to Markey reviewed by Inside Radio show that while General Motors, BMW, Mazda, Rivian, Volkswagen, and Volvo show some commitment to AM, others are sticking with plans to focus on FM and streaming and digital capabilities in their dashboards.

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) called that a “gut punch” to listeners and the more than 4,000 AM stations nationwide, including 1,500 that broadcast ag news to farmers and ranchers.

“I know from driving around my state so often it is AM radio where we hear the local high school scores, the news about flooding, and the news about tornadoes on the way,” she said. “This idea that with all every fancy add-on to cars that we just decided to tune out the availability of AM radio in a state like mine is just a total outrage.”

The House version of the bill also remains pending, with similar strong bipartisan support including 70 Republican cosponsors of the bill, with 68 Democrats also backing it. During a hearing on the bill in June, there was strong support for keeping AM radio in vehicles, although a few lawmakers expressed some concerns about putting a mandate on carmakers.

JULY 27, 2023:

It looks like Congress is about to turn up the pressure on the auto industry another notch. The Senate Commerce Committee has put a bill that would require AM radio to be equipped in vehicle dashboards on its to-do list before the Senate breaks for its August recess. The bill will be among those that comes up for a vote when the Committee meets today (July 27, 2023).

The proposed AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (S. 1669) would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a rule that requires automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their vehicles without a separate or additional payment, fee, or surcharge. The Government Accountability Office would also be required to study whether alternative communication systems could fully replicate the reach and effectiveness of AM broadcast radio for alerting the public to emergencies.

Since the bill was introduced in May, it has gathered the support of 23 cosponsors in the Senate, nearly evenly divided from both parties. A similar bill introduced in the House (H.R. 3413) has also seen its support grow, with 130 lawmakers in favor of the legislation.

Ranking Republican Ted Cruz (R-TX), who is a cosponsor of the bill, has been among its most vocal advocates on Capitol Hill. He told Communications Daily that he expects “a big bipartisan vote” in favor of the proposal when it comes up in Committee today. And while the Committee is advancing the bill to a vote even without holding a full-fledged hearing, Communications Daily says that Cruz staffers have been briefing congressional aides on the issue during the past two months.

As news has spread that some carmakers have already removed AM, and others are planning to do so, AM radio has received plenty of praise from lawmakers The hurdle for some has been the idea of mandating radio technology to be included in car and truck dashboards. But supporters have said that broadcast radio remains just as vital safety equipment as federally-required seatbelts, since they ensure drivers have access to emergency alerts.

The AM for Every Vehicle Act is endorsed by the National Association of Broadcasters and the National Association of Farm Broadcasters. Listeners can show their support as well by filling out a form on the website http://whyilisten.com.

JUNE 29, 2023:

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has joined with his counterparts in 16 other states to encourage Congress to pass legislation that would keep AM radios in new vehicles at no extra charge to consumers.

Jackley says AM radio serves an important in rural states such as South Dakota.

Jackely says so far, automobile manufacturers haven’t approached the group to try to sway their support– yet.

Vehicle manufacturers have frequently tied the removal of AM radios from their products to the signal interfering with electric vehicles. Jackley says that’s not so much of the issue in South Dakota.

In a letter to the Electric Drive Transportation Association and the Zero Emission Transportation Association, the State Attorneys General said removing AM radio from electric cars would threaten the radio industry. They also wrote, “The decision to eliminate AM radios is even more problematic in light of the Biden Administration’s goal of ‘having 50 percent of all new vehicle sales be electric by 2030.’”

Other state Attorneys General that are part of this effort are from Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate have introduced separate AM For Every Vehicle legislation. South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds is one of the sponsors of the Senate version, while South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson has signed on in support of a resolution in support of keeping AM radios in vehicles. Listeners can show their support as well by filling out a form on the website http://whyilisten.com.

JUNE 28, 2023:

South Dakota U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) joined Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and 17 of their Senate colleagues on the AM for Every Vehicle Act. This bicameral and bipartisan legislation would direct federal regulators to require automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their new vehicles at no additional charge.

“Free AM broadcast radio has been an important resource for decades,” said Rounds. “Whether someone is in their car or tractor, AM radio is a valuable tool to share local news and emergency information. I grew up listening to KCCR on 1240 and KGFX on 1060, especially when I delivered newspapers throughout the Pierre area. It made the time go by quick! I am pleased to join Senators Markey and Cruz on this bipartisan legislation so our future generations have access to this free, key resource, especially in our rural areas across South Dakota.”

“For decades, free AM broadcast radio has been an essential tool in emergencies, a crucial part of our diverse media ecosystem, and an irreplaceable source for news, weather, sports, and entertainment for tens of millions of listeners,” said Markey. “Carmakers shouldn’t tune out AM radio in new vehicles or put it behind a costly digital paywall. I am proud to introduce the AM for Every Vehicle Act to ensure that this resilient and popular communication tool does not become a relic of the past.”

“Each day, millions of Americans turn to AM radio to stay up to date on life in their community, engage on the issues they care about, or to be simply entertained during rush hour,” said Cruz. “AM radio is a critical bulwark for democracy, providing a platform for alternative viewpoints and the ability for elected officials to share our efforts with our constituents. Congress should act swiftly to pass this bill so Americans retain access to news, music, talk, and emergency alerts on the public airwaves. I’m glad to work with Senator Markey on this bipartisan legislation to ensure carmakers do not limit Texans’ access to radio in their vehicles.”

Specifically, 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.
Direct the Government Accountability Office to study whether alternative communication systems could fully replicate the reach and effectiveness of AM broadcast radio for alerting the public to emergencies.

This legislation was also cosponsored by Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Ted Budd (R-N.C.).

Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.).

Click HERE for full bill text.

JUNE 8, 2023:

The US House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing this week (June 6, 2023) titled “Listen Here: Why Americans Value AM Radio.” The hearing follows the recent introduction of the AM for Every Vehicle Act, which would require automakers to continue installing AM radios in vehicles at no additional charge to consumers. The bill was a response to leading electric vehicle manufacturers opting to remove AM radios from their vehicles.

Much of the conversation focused on critical emergency alerts issued over AM radio. Representative John Joyce, a Pennsylvania Republican, explains.

“My district is in the heart of rural Pennsylvania. Many of my constituents, farmers and rural residents alike, rely every day on AM radio to receive their local news, from weather to sports. We know that FEMA relies on am radio to provide alerts through the National Emergency Alert System to our communities. With the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles, some have raised concerned that the elimination of AM radio will restrict critical access to emergency alerts for those without cell phones. Some believe FM could soon follow, despite millions of Americans still relying on radio for their news, various talk shows and ultimately for their protection.”

Representative Robin Kelly, an Illinois Democrat, asked about the importance of AM radio for farmers and ranchers. Jerry Chapman, President of Woof Boom Radio of Indiana and Ohio, responded.

“In rural America, AM oftentimes is the best vehicle that we have to get out talk programming, extended long-form. AM radio stations are the primary point that ag news reaches the community that it’s intended and, so AM is central to agriculture.”

The National Association of Broadcasters and the National Association of Farm Broadcasting support the AM for Every Vehicle Act. Listeners can show their support as well by filling out a form on the website http://whyilisten.com.

MAY 23, 2023:

DETROIT (AP) — Owners of new Ford vehicles will be able to tune in to AM radio in their cars, trucks and SUVs after all. CEO Jim Farley wrote in social media postings Tuesday (May 23, 2023) that the company is reversing a decision to scrub the band after speaking with government policy leaders. They are concerned about keeping emergency alerts that often are sounded on AM stations. Farley wrote that Ford will keep AM on all 2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, and it will use an online software update to restore it on two 2023 electric vehicles. The move comes after a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers introduced a bill on Wednesday calling on the government to require AM in new vehicles at no additional cost.

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DETROIT (AP) — Owners of new Ford vehicles will be able to tune in to AM radio in their cars, trucks and SUVs after all.

CEO Jim Farley wrote in social media postings Tuesday (May 23, 2023) that the company is reversing a decision to scrub the band after speaking with government policy leaders who are concerned about keeping emergency alerts that often are sounded on AM stations.

“We’ve decided to include it on all 2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles,” Farley wrote on Twitter. “For any owners of Ford’s EVs without AM broadcast capability, we’ll offer a software update” to restore it, Farley wrote.

The move comes after a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers introduced a bill Wednesday calling on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require AM in new vehicles at no additional cost.

Sponsors of the “AM for Every Vehicle Act” cited public safety concerns, noting AM’s historic role in transmitting vital information during emergencies, such as natural disasters, especially to rural areas.

Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., one of the bill’s sponsors, said eight of 20 major automakers including Ford, BMW and Tesla have pulled the band from new vehicles.

Ford removed AM from the 2023 Mustang Mach-e and F-150 Lightning electric pickups after data collected from vehicles showed that less than 5% of customers listened to it, spokesman Alan Hall said. Electrical interference and reducing cost and manufacturing complexity also played a role.

The company also took it out of the 2024 gasoline-powered Mustang, but will add it back in before any of the muscle cars are delivered, Hall said.

The EVs will get an online software update to put AM back into the vehicles, and Ford will keep including it in future vehicles as it looks at innovative ways to deliver emergency alerts, Hall said.

Ford and others also suggested that internet radio or other communication tools could replace AM radio. But Markey and others pointed to situations where drivers might not have internet access.

The Federal Communications Commission and National Association of Broadcasters praised the legislation, which is also backed by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., Rep. Tom Kean, Jr., R-N.J., Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., among others.

But the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a U.S. trade group that represents major automakers including Ford and BMW, criticized the bill, calling the AM radio mandate unnecessary.

The trade group pointed to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Integrated Public Alerts and Warning System, which can distribute safety warnings across AM, FM, internet-based and satellite radios — as well as over cellular networks.

The alliance said the bill gives preference to a technology that’s competing with other communications options.

Messages were left Tuesday seeking comment from BMW and Tesla.

According to the National Association of Broadcasters and Nielsen data, more than 80 million people in the U.S. listen to AM radio every month.

MAY 18, 2023:

This week (May 17, 2023), a group of US Senators from both major political parties introduced the AM for Every Vehicle Act in the Senate. A companion bill has also been introduced in the US House.

Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey says the bipartisan legislation would direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require automakers to maintain over-the-air AM broadcast radio in their vehicles without a separate or additional payment, fee or surcharge.

“For decades, free AM broadcast radio has been an essential tool in emergencies, a crucial part of our diverse media ecosystem, and an irreplaceable source for news, for weather, for sports, and entertainment for tens of millions of listeners. But automakers are making the foolish decision to remove AM radio from many new vehicles. I am introducing the AM for Every Vehicle Act to ensure that new vehicles continue to have access to AM radio. We cannot let this resilient and popular communication tool to become a relic of the past.”

The legislation also directs the Government Accountability Office to study whether alternative communication systems could fully replicate the reach and effectiveness of AM broadcast radio for alerting the public to emergencies.

The bill has broad bipartisan support along with the support of the Federal Communications Commission.

FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington said in a statement, “As I mentioned in my speech to the National Association of Farm Broadcasting last November, the Commission should not be shy about asking auto manufacturers to serve the public interest by continuing to serve AM radio listeners.”

The AM for Every Vehicle Act is endorsed by the National Association of Farm Broadcasters and the National Association of Broadcasters.

MAY 17, 2023:

A group of more than 100 lawmakers this week (May 15, 2023) signed a letter to automakers expressing concerns about the removal and planned removal of AM radio receivers in vehicles. South Dakota US Representative Dusty Johnson is one of the signees.

Representative Greg Pence, an Indiana Republican, led the effort, and says, “If automakers are seeking to remove access to AM radio, my constituents deserve an explanation as to how this could impact their lives and public safety.”

The letter highlights the need of rural Americans to access AM radio, given limited internet and cell phone connectivity. The letter states, “We urge you to maintain AM radio receivers in all vehicles and prioritize consumers and public safety.”

Federal data shows that more than 75 radio stations, mostly AM stations, cover at least 90 percent of the U.S. population and are equipped with backup communications equipment for broadcasting during public emergencies. There have been reports that automakers, including Ford, Volkswagen, BMW, Mazda, Volvo, Tesla, Polestar, Rivian, GM, and Mercedes Benz, removed, or are planning to remove, broadcast AM radio receivers from all-electric vehicles.

MAY 15, 2023:

Representatives Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin and Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey sent a bipartisan letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency regarding the future of AM radio in new vehicles. They expressed concerns over auto makers’ decision to drop AM radio access in the new electric vehicles that will be coming to market. The members talked about the important role that AM radio plays in providing life-saving information to the public.

They also asked FEMA to outline what impact this would have on the nation’s Emergency Alert System and what steps the agency is taking to prevent this from happening in future vehicle models. “AM radio has extensive geographic reach, including areas where there’s little cell service or broadband internet access,” they say in the letter. “Given the growth in electric vehicle sales, it’s vital that FEMA makes clear the impact that no AM radios will have on public safety.”

MAY 5, 2023:

Eight Michigan Representatives entered into a campaign to reverse Ford’s decision to remove AM radio from most new models in 2024. The eight reps sent a letter to Ford’s board of directors making a case to keep the legacy band in cars.

“Not only is AM still widely listened to for entertainment purposes, especially in rural areas, but it is vitally important for emergency services in times of trouble or natural disaster,” the letter says. “Removing AM capability from future vehicles could jeopardize the safety and livelihood of millions of your customers.”

Michigan Rep David Prestin says that Ford’s decision represents “a lack of vision or thought towards national security, our ability to communicate on the most basic level in the future for the unknown things we may have to face. I just find it reckless.” He also points out that AM radio is the backbone of the Emergency Alert System.

APRIL 17, 2023:

Ford Canada confirms that it’s removing AM radios from all vehicles globally.

Ford’s Canadian division says Canada will no longer have access to the AM band in upcoming vehicles.

Radio Ink Dot Com says it’s the first confirmation that removing AM from dashboards won’t be isolated to the U.S.

A Ford Canada spokesperson says that to listen to AM, all drivers have to do is link their phones to the vehicles entertainment system and stream the stations they’re looking for.

Canada has more than 180 AM radio stations. Many of those stations broadcast news and information needed in remote areas that have less than ideal data coverage, making streaming difficult, if not impossible.

The Canadian Association of Broadcasters says this marks another profound challenge to AM radio. “It’s unfortunate that the assumption is made that internet streaming of stations will be a suitable substitute in remote Canadian areas,” the group says.

APRIL 7, 2023:

A new report says Ford will keep AM radios in certain vehicles. The company plans to exclude AM radio from “most new and updated vehicles we bring to market” but also says commercial vehicles will continue to have AM radios. A Ford Authority report says, “This group of vehicles will likely consist of vehicles that count toward Ford Pro sales – the automaker’s commercial-focused division.” The report also says it’s not, by any means, a given because Ford could ditch the feature in some or all of those vehicles as well. So far, a total of eight automakers say they will remove AM radio from the dashboards of some of their models, mostly in the fast-growing electric vehicle segment. In a series of letters, none of the eight are signaling any second thoughts despite the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s push about the critical role AM plays in delivering public safety information.

MARCH 23, 2023:

Representative Josh Gotthemier this week (March 21, 2023) urged electric vehicle manufacturers to include AM radio in their cars and trucks.

The New Jersey Democrat says, “I would think that if Elon Musk has enough money to buy Twitter and send rockets to space, he can afford to include AM radio in his Teslas.”

The lawmaker says that despite the public safety uses of AM radio, many EV manufacturers have stopped including AM radio in their vehicles. AM radio is the backbone behind America’s National Public Warning System, which provides emergency-alert and warning information to the public during major natural disasters and domestic threats. Gottheimer is writing to major EV auto manufacturers urging them to reconsider their decision to discontinue AM radio in their cars.

Gottheimer also called on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to add AM radio to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards to require that all automakers include AM radio as a stock feature in their vehicles.

MARCH 9, 2023:

Nathan Simington, a Commissioner for the Federal Communications Commission, recently spoke out on the continued importance of AM radio to public safety. He says the issue of continuing to include AM radios in electric vehicles deserves urgent attention.

“As electric vehicle adoption increases, we must not leave behind those in rural areas who depend on radio for their news and alerts,” Simington says. He points out that growing up in rural Saskatchewan was like living in a connectivity desert. “Back then, like now, radio was essential for staying connected,” he says. “While some things have changed, not enough has changed to eliminate the need for radio, and the situation is similar in the United States.”

He also believes the FCC has a duty to make clear how valuable AM radio is to its listeners. “Further, we should be good stewards of the AM radio band,” he says. “That includes safeguarding AM radio reception.”

JANUARY 5, 2023:

Prior to the start of the Consumer Electronics Show this week (Jan. 5-8, 2023), Steve Koenig of the Consumer Technology Association showcased potential, new technology trends to the media.

Koenig says one potential trend is automakers charging extra for AM/FM radios in cars. He says automakers may move to a “Features as a Service” offering for AM/FM radios, allowing automakers to enable or disable features based on whether the car owner is paying for the services.

Automakers claim AM radio signals face electromagnetic interference generated from electric cars. Radio Ink reports, “Automotive companies are salivating at the opportunity to capitalize on car features as services that will be subscription based.”

In December 2022, Massachusetts US Senator Ed Markey, a democrat, urged automakers to maintain free broadcast radio in future electric vehicles. Markey said, “AM/FM broadcast radio remains the most dependable, cost-free, and accessible communication mechanism for public officials to communicate with the public during times of emergency.”

DECEMBER 5, 2022:

Massachusetts Democratic Senator Edward Markey sent letters to 20 car manufacturers requesting they maintain AM radio in their vehicles, including the new EV models. In the letter, Markey says consumers still value AM radio and stressed that free broadcast radio is a critical and reliable channel for local, state, and federal government officials to communicate with the public. He also wants automakers to adopt technological solutions to address any electromagnetic interference that EVs cause with AM radio signals.

“Despite innovations such as smartphones and social media, AM/FM broadcast radio remains the most dependable, cost-free, and accessible communication mechanism for public officials to communicate with the public in emergencies,” Markey says. “As a result, any phase-out of broadcast AM radio could pose a significant communication problem in an emergency.”

Although investments in electric vehicles are critical in addressing the climate, automakers don’t need to sacrifice the benefit of radio in the process.

NOVEMBER 21, 2022:

People shopping for electric vehicles will see that most don’t have AM radio, and it’s a move not sitting well with rural farm broadcasters.

Nathan Simington is a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission who spoke to broadcasters at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting’s annual convention. He brought a unique perspective to the topic after growing up on a farm in Canada.

“AM radio is an indispensable source of information for more than three million farmers in the U.S.,” Simington says. “To those who say AM is a dead technology, 75 percent of farmers listen to the radio five days per week.” For those who don’t know, AM radio is also the “essential spine” of the Emergency Alert System. “More importantly, farm broadcasters, especially those on AM, are a trusted source of information,” Simington adds. “Forget about oil and gas. These days, trust is the most important commodity out there.”

Hurricanes prompt another letter from Attorneys General to Congress about passing the “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2024”

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