Attorney General Ashley Moody of Florida, alongside Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and ten other state attorneys general, is advocating for the passage of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2024. This bipartisan effort aims to ensure that AM radios remain a standard feature in vehicles, especially as newer models, including electric vehicles, are being produced without them.
The call for legislative action comes in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which struck as a Category 4 storm and caused significant destruction across the Southeast United States. The hurricane resulted in over 190 fatalities and left millions without power or communication services. In such scenarios, AM radio has proven to be an essential tool for disseminating emergency information.
Attorney General Ashley Moody emphasized the importance of maintaining access to AM radio: “Following devastation and loss in Florida and across multiple states in the wake of Hurricane Helene, it has never been clearer how vital it is to protect access to AM radio. I have personally heard on-the-ground stories of Floridians who lost power, access to internet and cellphone service during storms, including Hurricane Helene. AM radio signals remained functional. We must ensure access to AM radio signals; lives depend on it.”
The group of attorneys general highlights that “AM radio is the constant support network that provides life-saving information to our citizens.” They stress that during emergencies, federal and local authorities need reliable means like AM radio to communicate warnings effectively since these signals can cover vast distances even when other communication infrastructures fail.
Concerns have been raised about car manufacturers omitting AM radios from their designs. A letter from seven former FEMA leaders described this trend as a “grave threat” to disaster response efforts at all government levels.
In their appeal to Congress, the attorneys general urge lawmakers to prioritize legislation supporting this critical communication medium: “prioritize the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act and support the protections of this vital communications network.”
Joining Attorneys General Moody and Bird in this initiative are representatives from Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.