What changed between these versions
A substantive modification. V2 introduces a new definition for "automated driving system" and adds a requirement for the Secretary of Transportation to submit a report evaluating potential adverse impacts of AM radio signals on vehicles with automated driving systems before issuing the main rule. Additionally, the general effective date for the rule is narrowed, and the sunset provision is changed to apply to the entire Act and reduced from 10 to 8 years.
Overview
A handful of significant changes across the definitions and the main rule section. · V2 introduces new considerations related to automated driving systems, narrows the general implementation timeline, and shortens the overall duration of the Act, indicating a more cautious and potentially expedited approach to certain aspects while adding a new pre-rule evaluation step.
The most significant change in v2 is the introduction of a new reporting requirement under Section 3(b) for the Secretary of Transportation to evaluate the impact of AM radio signals on automated driving systems before issuing the core rule. This is coupled with a new definition for "automated driving system" in Section 2. Furthermore, the general effective date for the rule's implementation has been shortened, and the sunset provision for the entire Act has been reduced from 10 years to 8 years, affecting the long-term enforceability.
Major additions
This new definition introduces "automated driving system," defining it as a system meeting Level 3, Level 4, or Level 5 automation as per SAE International's J3016 recommended practice.
This addition is significant because it introduces a new category of vehicle technology that is directly addressed by a new pre-rule reporting requirement in Section 3(b), indicating a specific concern or consideration for these advanced systems.
This new subsection requires the Secretary to submit a report evaluating potential adverse impacts related to automotive innovation and motor vehicle safety of passenger motor vehicles equipped with automated driving systems from the reception of AM radio signals. It also requires an evaluation of solutions manufacturers could adopt to mitigate these impacts. This report must be submitted to specific Congressional committees and made publicly available before the rule is issued.
This addition creates a new mandatory step in the rulemaking process, potentially delaying the issuance of the rule until the report is completed and reviewed. It highlights a specific concern regarding the interaction between AM radio technology and advanced vehicle automation.
Modifications
This change shortens the maximum period manufacturers have to comply with the rule once it is issued, potentially accelerating the requirement for AM radio installation in new vehicles for the majority of manufacturers.
Before
V1 stated that the effective date for the rule, for most manufacturers, should be "not less than 2 years, but not more than 3 years" after the rule is issued.
After
V2 states that the effective date for the rule, for most manufacturers, shall be "not more than 2 years" after the rule is issued.
This change significantly reduces the long-term enforceability and existence of the legislation. Instead of just the rule expiring, the entire Act, and thus the Secretary's authority to enforce the rule, will cease to exist after 8 years, two years sooner than the rule alone would have expired in v1. This means the mandate for AM radio in vehicles will have a shorter lifespan.
Before
V1's Section 3(h) stipulated that the *rule* issued under subsection (a) would sunset and no longer be in effect 10 years after the date of enactment of the Act.
After
V2's Section 3(i) states that the *Act* itself shall sunset and no longer be in effect 8 years after the date of enactment of the Act, including the authority of the Secretary to carry out or enforce that rule.
Scope
Meaningful expansion or narrowing — Changes are concentrated in the definitional section and the implementation details of the core rule, specifically regarding the effective date and the sunset clause. A new reporting requirement is also introduced. — V2 introduces a new policy direction by mandating a pre-rulemaking study on the interaction between AM radio signals and automated driving systems, indicating a more cautious approach to implementation in light of emerging vehicle technologies. It also shortens the overall lifespan of the Act. — The new definition of "automated driving system" directly interacts with the newly added Section 3(b) report requirement. The change in the sunset provision from the "rule" to the "Act" has a broader impact on all provisions of the Act.
Impact analysis
Manufacturers of passenger motor vehicles, especially those incorporating automated driving systems.
Procedural change, adding a new requirement and potential for delay.
These manufacturers are now subject to a new pre-rulemaking evaluation by the Secretary of Transportation regarding the potential adverse impacts of AM radio signals on their automated driving systems.
All manufacturers of passenger motor vehicles (excluding small manufacturers).
Loss of flexibility, requiring faster implementation.
The maximum timeframe for compliance with the rule, once issued, has been shortened from 3 years to 2 years.
The Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Communications Commission.
Procedural change, loss of long-term authority.
The Secretary is now required to conduct and submit a report before issuing the rule, and the entire Act, including their authority to enforce the rule, will sunset after 8 years instead of just the rule after 10 years.
The public relying on AM radio access in new vehicles.
Loss of long-term guarantee.
While the core requirement for AM radio access remains, the overall duration of the mandate for new vehicles is shortened by two years due to the Act's earlier sunset.