118 HR 3413 IH: AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2023
U.S. House of Representatives
2023-05-17
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I
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3413
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 17, 2023
Mr. Gottheimer (for himself, Mr. Kean of New Jersey, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Westerman, and Ms. Perez) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Transportation to issue a rule requiring access to AM broadcast stations in motor vehicles, and for other purposes.
1.

Short title
This Act may be cited as the “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2023”.
2.

AM broadcast stations rulemaking
(a)

Definitions
In this section:
(1)

Administrator
The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(2)

AM broadcast band
The term AM broadcast band means the band of frequencies between 535 kilohertz and 1705 kilohertz, inclusive.
(3)

AM broadcast station
The term AM broadcast station means a broadcast station licensed for the dissemination of radio communications—
(A)
intended to be received by the public; and
(B)
operated on a channel in the AM broadcast band.
(4)

Authorized alert originator
The term authorized alert originator means a Federal, State, local, Tribal, or territorial government agency or official that is legally authorized to initiate alert messages for transmission to the public using the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.
(5)

Comptroller General
The term Comptroller General means the Comptroller General of the United States.
(6)

Device
The term device means a piece of equipment or an apparatus that is designed—
(A)
to receive signals transmitted by a radio broadcast station (as defined in section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153)); and
(B)
to play back content or programming derived from those signals.
(7)

Digital audio AM broadcast station
(A)

In general
The term digital audio AM broadcast station means an AM broadcast station that—
(i)
is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission; and
(ii)
uses an In-band On-channel system (as defined in section 73.402 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)) for broadcasting purposes.
(B)

Exclusion
The term digital audio AM broadcast station does not include an all-digital AM station (as defined in section 73.402 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)).
(8)

Integrated public alert and warning system
The term Integrated Public Alert and Warning System means the public alert and warning system of the United States described in section 526 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 321o).
(9)

Manufacturer
The term manufacturer has the meaning given the term in section 30102(a) of title 49, United States Code.
(10)

Motor vehicle
The term motor vehicle has the meaning given the term in section 30102(a) of title 49, United States Code.
(11)

Receive
The term receive means to receive a broadcast signal via over-the-air transmission.
(12)

Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation.
(13)

Signal
The term signal means radio frequency energy that a holder of a radio station license granted or authorized by the Federal Communications Commission pursuant to sections 301 and 307 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 301, 307) intentionally emits or causes to be emitted at a specified frequency for the purpose of transmitting content or programming to the public.
(14)

Standard equipment
The term standard equipment means motor vehicle equipment (as defined in section 30102(a) of title 49, United States Code) that—
(A)
is installed as a system, part, or component of a motor vehicle as originally manufactured; and
(B)
the manufacturer of the motor vehicle recommends or authorizes to be included in the motor vehicle for no additional or separate monetary fee, payment, or surcharge, beyond the base price of a motor vehicle.
(b)

Rulemaking required
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator and the Federal Communications Commission, shall issue a rule—
(1)
requiring devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM broadcast stations be installed as standard equipment in motor vehicles manufactured in the United States, imported into the United States, or shipped in interstate commerce after the effective date of the rule;
(2)
requiring dashboard access to AM broadcast stations in a manner that is conspicuous to a driver; and
(3)
allowing a manufacturer to comply with that rule by installing devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by digital audio AM broadcast stations as standard equipment in motor vehicles manufactured in the United States, imported into the United States, or shipped in interstate commerce after the effective date of the rule.
(c)

Interim requirement
For motor vehicles manufactured in the United States, imported into the United States, or shipped in interstate commerce between the period of time beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on the effective date of the rule issued under subsection (b) that do not include devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM broadcast stations, the manufacturer of the motor vehicles shall provide clear and conspicuous labeling to inform purchasers of those motor vehicles that the motor vehicles do not include devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM broadcast stations.
(d)

Enforcement
(1)

Civil penalty
Any person failing to comply with the rule issued under subsection (b) shall be liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty in accordance with section 30165(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code.
(2)

Civil action
The Attorney General may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court of the United States to enjoin a violation of the rule issued under subsection (b) in accordance with section 30163 of title 49, United States Code.
(e)

Study
(1)

Study required
(A)

In general
The Comptroller General shall study and assess whether an alternative communication system for delivering emergency alerts and critical public safety information distributed by the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System to drivers and passengers of motor vehicles exists that—
(i)
is as reliable and resilient as AM broadcast stations; and
(ii)
is capable of ensuring the President (or a designee) can reach at least 90 percent of the population of the United States in a time of crisis, including at night.
(B)

Considerations
In carrying out the study required by subparagraph (A), the Comptroller General shall consider—
(i)
the cost to drivers and passengers to receive communications through an alternative communication system; and
(ii)
in consultation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and authorized alert originators, the cost and time required to develop and implement an alternative resilient communication system that fully replicates the capability to deliver emergency alerts and critical public safety information distributed by the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.
(2)

Briefing; report
(A)

Briefing
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the results of the study required by paragraph (1)(A), including recommendations for legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.
(B)

Report
Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Comptroller General provides the briefing required under subparagraph (A), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a report describing the results of the study required under paragraph (1)(A), including recommendations for legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.