A bill to establish the National Fab Lab Network, a nonprofit organization consisting of a national network of local digital fabrication facilities providing universal access to advanced manufacturing tools for workforce development, STEM education, developing inventions, creating businesses, producing personalized products, mitigating risks, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · June 24, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
The National Fab Lab Network Act of 2026 establishes a nonprofit organization to create a nationwide network of digital fabrication facilities, known as fab labs, that provide public access to advanced manufacturing equipment like 3D printers, laser cutters, and computer-controlled machines. These facilities aim to promote science and technology education, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, support workforce development, and help communities become more self-sufficient by enabling people to design and manufacture products locally. The bill directs the network to prioritize establishing at least one fab lab in each congressional district, with special focus on underserved areas, while maintaining standards and connecting these labs into a coordinated national system. The nonprofit will be governed by a board of seven to fifteen members appointed by Senate and House leadership, representing diverse geographic regions, Tribal communities, educational institutions, libraries, and commercial organizations. Congress finds that such a network is essential to maintaining American competitiveness in science and technology by giving citizens access to the tools and knowledge needed to innovate and create in an increasingly digital manufacturing economy.
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