H.R. 9463 — National Fab Lab Network Act of 2026

This section states congressional findings on the importance of scientific discoveries and STEM leadership to U.S. economic and national security, the potential of digital fabrication to enable widespread production of household goods and technology, the contributions of the MIT Center for Bits and Atoms and Fab Foundation to fab labs and related facilities, and the value of public-private partnerships to expand access to this infrastructure for education, workforce development, and innovation.

This section establishes the National Fab Lab Network as a nonprofit corporation, independent of the federal government, to create a national network of fab labs. The corporation must pursue goals of universal access to digital fabrication, at least one fab lab in each congressional district with priority for underserved communities, workforce development, and STEM education; it must maintain a national registry, issue operating standards, accept and distribute funds, and operate under a board of 7 to 15 members appointed by congressional leadership with required representation from regions, tribes, institutions, and the Fab Foundation.