Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More
Continue in Browser
Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts.
Please enter a valid zipcode.
Save
TAMPA, Fla. — People use AM radio to listen to everything from high school sports to emergency information during hurricanes, but some are worried that access to AM radio is getting harder. 
That is why U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) introduced the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025. 
For those in the industry, like Roger P. Schulman, he supports this legislation.
“During our last hurricanes, people told me we had no communication at all,” he said. “We lost power, the cell phones weren’t working. The internet was out. Only thing we could do was go in the garage, turn on the car, and listen to AM radio and get information.” 
Roger said that while television, news sites, newspapers, and FM radio all offer different levels of coverage during emergencies, he said AM radio is the most reliable. 
As some cars are now being made without AM radio built in, Roger worries people will get stuck in dangerous circumstances without access to information.  
“A lot of the manufacturers, particularly Tesla and some of the electric car manufacturers, are coming out with cars without AM radios,” he said. 
However, this new bill will require new cars to have AM radios installed. 
Bilirakis said he wants community members across the country to have access to AM radio. 
“There is a real threat by the car manufacturers that they take AM radio out of the cars,” he said. “It doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. And I will tell you that I have a lot of constituents, more importantly for emergency purposes, but they love AM radio.” 
The most recent action on the bill in September was a 50-1 vote in favor of the measure by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

source