This legislation mandates that the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission, issue a rule within one year of enactment. This rule will require new passenger motor vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States to include devices capable of receiving and playing AM broadcast stations as standard equipment. Manufacturers may comply by installing devices that can receive digital audio AM broadcast stations.

The rule's effective date will be between two and three years after its issuance, with a longer four-year period for small manufacturers producing fewer than 40,000 vehicles annually. During the interim period before the rule takes effect, manufacturers of vehicles without AM radio must provide clear and conspicuous labeling to purchasers. They are also prohibited from charging an additional fee for AM radio access during this time.

The bill preempts state and local laws regarding AM radio access in vehicles and establishes civil penalties and actions for non-compliance with the federal rule. Furthermore, the Comptroller General is directed to conduct a comprehensive study on public emergency alert and warning systems (IPAWS). This study will assess the role, effectiveness, and resilience of AM broadcast stations in vehicles compared to other communication technologies, including their ability to reach a significant portion of the population during crises.

The Comptroller General must consult with various stakeholders, including federal agencies, emergency management officials, and vehicle manufacturers, before briefing Congress within one year and submitting a full report shortly thereafter. The Secretary of Transportation is also required to review the rule's impact on public safety and assess IPAWS communication technologies every five years. The authority for the Secretary to issue and enforce this rule will sunset ten years after the bill's enactment.