Requires that new motor vehicles be equipped with amplitude modulation radio.

S3494

SENATE, No. 3494

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 12, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� JAMES BEACH

District 6 (Burlington and Camden)

SYNOPSIS

���� Requires that new motor vehicles be equipped with
amplitude modulation radio.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Act
concerning new motor vehicles and supplementing
P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.).�

����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� The Legislature finds
and declares that:

���� a.���� Amplitude modulation
radio, commonly referred to as AM radio, has been a feature in motor vehicle
radios since the 1950s.�

���� b.��� AM radio plays a
critical role in informing the public about natural disasters and other
crises.�

���� c.���� AM radio is capable of
being transmitted over long distances, making it essential for communication
during a catastrophe.�

���� d.��� According to some
estimates, approximately 47 million Americans listen to AM radio to receive
real-time federal and state information concerning public safety incidents.�

���� e.���� Owing to backup
communications equipment and generators, AM radio is often available when other
communication methods fail.�

���� f.���� However, motor vehicle
manufacturers, particularly manufacturers of electric vehicles, are
increasingly choosing to discontinue support for AM radio in new motor
vehicles, prompting concern among emergency response professionals.�

���� g.��� The director of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency�s emergency-warning system asserts that
eliminating AM radios from motor vehicles could impact the ability of people to
receive vital public-safety information while traveling in motor vehicles.�

���� h.��� Accordingly, the
Legislature finds that it is in the public interest to take action to ensure
that this essential communication method remains present and functional in new
motor vehicles.�

���� 2.��� a.� As used in this act:

���� �AM radio� means an amplitude
modulation radio capable of receiving amplitude modulation frequency
transmissions.�

���� �Motor vehicle� means the same
as that term is defined in R.S.39:1-1.

���� �New motor vehicle� means a
motor vehicle that has not been previously sold to a person other than a
distributor, wholesaler, or dealer of motor vehicles for resale.�

���� b.��� It shall be an unlawful
practice and violation of P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.) for a person to
sell or lease a new motor vehicle in this State unless the motor vehicle is
equipped with a radio capable of receiving AM radio broadcasts.�

���� c.���� The Director of the
Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety may
promulgate rules and regulations, pursuant to the �Administrative Procedure
Act,� P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), necessary to effectuate the
purposes of P.L.����� , c.�� (C.��� ) (pending before the Legislature as this
bill).

���� 3.��� This act shall take
effect one year following the date of enactment.�

STATEMENT

���� This bill requires new motor
vehicles sold or leased in this State to be equipped with a radio capable of
receiving AM radio broadcasts.�

���� Amplitude modulation radio,
commonly referred to as AM radio, has been a feature in motor vehicle radios
since the 1950s.� AM radio plays a critical role in informing the public about
natural disasters and other crises.� AM radio is capable of being transmitted
over long distances, making it essential for communication during a
catastrophe.� According to some estimates, approximately 47 million Americans
listen to AM radio to receive real-time federal and state information
concerning public safety incidents.� Owing to backup communications equipment
and generators, AM radio is often available when other communication methods
fail.�

���� However, motor vehicle manufacturers,
particularly manufacturers of electric vehicles, are increasingly choosing to
discontinue support for AM radio in new motor vehicles, prompting concern among
emergency response professionals.�

���� The director of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency�s emergency-warning system asserts that eliminating
AM radio from motor vehicles could impact the ability of people to receive
vital public-safety information while traveling.� Accordingly, it is essential
that this communication method remain present and functional in new motor
vehicles.�

���� A violation of the provisions
of the bill would be considered an unlawful practice under the consumer fraud
act, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.).� An unlawful practice is punishable by
a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more
than $20,000 for any subsequent offense.� In addition, a violation can result
in a cease and desist order issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of
punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured.�
��