Ritchie Torres

AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025

This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule requiring AM radio capabilities to be standard in all new passenger vehicles. (AM radio is often used to deliver emergency alerts and news and entertainment programming; some newer vehicles do not include AM equipment.)

Specifically, this bill applies to passenger vehicles (1) manufactured in the United States for sale in the United States, imported into the United States, or shipped in interstate commerce; and (2) manufactured after the rule's effective date. The rule must require all such vehicles to have devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM stations or digital audio AM stations installed as standard equipment and made easily accessible to drivers.

Prior to the rule's effective date, manufacturers that do not include devices that can access AM radio as standard equipment (1) must inform purchasers of this fact through clear and conspicuous labeling, and (2) may not charge an additional or separate fee for AM radio access.

DOT may assess civil penalties for any violation of the rule. The Department of Justice may also bring a civil action to enjoin a violation.

The rule, including DOT’s authority to enforce it, must expire 10 years after the bill’s enactment.

Further, the Government Accountability Office must study and report on the dissemination of emergency alerts to the public, including by conducting an assessment of AM radio relative to other Integrated Public Alert and Warning System communication technologies.

Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2024

This bill establishes a limited exception to coastwise laws to allow foreign-flag freight vessels to transport merchandise domestically to or from a port in the noncontiguous United States. The bill also addresses various issues related to foreign-flag freight vessels engaged in coastwise trade (i.e., domestic waterborne trade between U.S. ports).

Under the coastwise laws, commonly known as the Jones Act, a freight vessel may not transport merchandise between U.S. ports unless it is U.S.-built, at least 75% owned by U.S. citizens, and mostly crewed by U.S. citizens. The bill authorizes qualifying foreign-flag vessels to transport merchandise between (1) a port in the contiguous United States and a port in the noncontiguous United States (i.e., Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory or possession); or (2) two ports in the noncontiguous United States.

Under the bill, all foreign-flag freight vessels operating in U.S. coastwise trade must comply with the (1) minimum international labor standards applicable to U.S. seafarers, and (2) same environmental standards that apply to U.S. vessels.

The bill authorizes such operators to participate in the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation program on behalf of masters and crew members they employ.

The bill also requires foreign-flag vessel owners and operators engaging in coastwise trade to identify an agent for service of process, abide by U.S. tax and other laws, and maintain specified documentation on board. Additionally, lawsuits against such vessels alleging personal injury or death must be brought in U.S. district court.

Noncontiguous Shipping Reasonable Rate Act of 2024

This bill provides that a rate for service in noncontiguous domestic ocean trade is reasonable if such rate is within 10% of a rate set by a comparable international ocean rate index recognized by the Federal Maritime Commission. (Under current law, a rate is required to be reasonable, and the Surface Transportation Board generally has the authority to determine whether certain rates are reasonable.)

Noncontiguous Shipping Competition Act

This bill revises coastwise laws, commonly known as the Jones Act, that govern domestic transportation of merchandise or passengers by vessels.

The Jones Act generally requires that a vessel transporting merchandise or passengers from one U.S. point to another U.S. point be (1) built in the United States, (2) at least 75% owned by U.S. citizens, and (3) mostly crewed by U.S. citizens. The act also includes several exemptions and exceptions.

The bill exempts carriage on a route in noncontiguous trade from Jones Act requirements unless (1) at least three owners or operators of coastwise qualified vessels regularly operate such a vessel on the route, (2) each of such owners or operators transports at least 20% of the volume of goods on that route, and (3) none of such owners or operators are under common ownership. (Generally, noncontiguous trade is trade between two U.S. points where at least one of the points is in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or an insular territory or U.S. possession.)

Gun Violence Prevention Research Act of 2025

This bill authorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct or support research on firearms safety or gun violence prevention.

Unleashing AI Innovation in Financial Services Act

This bill allows regulated financial entities to test artificial intelligence (AI) projects under waived or modified regulations upon the approval of an application by the appropriate federal financial regulatory agency. These agencies must establish AI innovation labs to enable such projects.

Under the bill, regulated entities may engage in AI test projects associated with financial products, services, or activities. Regulated entities must apply to the appropriate agency with a description and proposed duration of the AI test project, propose an alternative compliance strategy, and explain how the AI test project serves the public interest and does not present certain risks.

The alternative compliance strategy must include several elements, such as (1) identifying a regulation issued by an agency that the regulated entity requests to be waived or modified and (2) proposing an alternative method of compliance with the regulation's underlying statute. Upon approval, the agency may only enforce such a regulation according to the agreement.

The bill also provides for agency review of such applications, establishes procedures for entities that are subject to regulation by multiple agencies, and allows agencies to file for injunctive relief if an AI test project presents certain risks or dangers.

Enhance Access To SNAP Act of 2025 or the EATS Act of 2025

This bill expands eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for certain students.

Specifically, the bill removes the restriction on SNAP eligibility for students to allow otherwise eligible students who are attending institutions of higher education (IHEs) at least half time to participate in SNAP. Under current law, students 18-49 years old are restricted from participating in SNAP, with exceptions (e.g., caring for a child under the age of 6 or employed for at least 20 hours a week). The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 temporarily exempted some students from certain SNAP eligibility requirements; these temporary student exemptions expired after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, 2023.

Further, the bill provides that students enrolled at least half time in a recognized school, training program, or IHE constitute individual households (not residents of institutions) and may be eligible for SNAP benefits. (Participation in SNAP is limited to households.)

Tailored Regulatory Updates for Supervisory Testing Act of 2025 or the TRUST Act of 2025

This bill permits additional small insured depository institutions that are considered well-capitalized and well-managed (per their most recent examination) to qualify for less frequent examinations conducted by federal financial regulators. Specifically, the bill raises the maximum asset level that qualifies an institution for less frequent examinations from less than $3 billion to less than $6 billion.

Financial Stability Oversight Council Improvement Act of 2025

This bill requires the Financial Stability Oversight Council, prior to determining that a U.S. nonbank financial company shall be supervised by the Federal Reserve Board and therefore subject to certain prudential standards, to first determine that certain alternative actions would not mitigate the threat the company may pose to U.S. financial stability.