Bill · S. 4934· Senate(119-S-4934)
National Fab Lab Network Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 6/24/2026
- Last activity
- 6/24/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Chris Van Hollen
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes the National Fab Lab Network, a nonprofit corporation designed to create a national network of local digital fabrication facilities. These facilities, known as "fab labs," will provide universal access to advanced manufacturing tools. The goal is to support workforce development, STEM education, and the creation of new businesses and inventions. The corporation aims to empower individuals and communities by providing tools for personal and professional needs. It seeks to establish at least one lab in every congressional district, with a focus on underserved areas. The network will function as a resource for training, innovation, and community self-sufficiency.
Yes· 3 of 15
Would students be better off under this?+6
The bill creates a massive national platform for STEM education and technical literacy.
Is this likely to create jobs?+6
The bill explicitly aims to foster the creation of businesses and jobs through digital fabrication.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+5
The focus on STEM education and 21st-century workforce development benefits young people entering the labor market.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Access to Advanced Tools: The bill provides universal access to digital fabrication tools, including computer-silled machines for additive and subtractive processes and electronic circuit manufacturing (Section 3, a, 1). This allows people to create items ranging from personal technology to household goods (Section 2, 4).
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Workforce and Economic Development: The network is intended to align workforce development with new jobs and help people compete in a global marketplace (Section 3, c, 1, F). It also aims to foster the creation of businesses and jobs (Section 3, c, 1, D, iii).
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Educational Opportunities: The initiative seeks to promote skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) (Section 3, c, 1, D, i). It also aims to introduce digital fabrication as an essential new literacy (Section 3, c, 1, E).
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Community Empowerment: The corporation aims to establish a minimum of one fab lab in each congressional district, specifically prioritizing underserved communities (Section 3, c, 2, A). This is intended to increase self-sufficiency for individuals, households, and communities (Section 3, c, 1, D, vi).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Risk Mitigation Responsibility: While the corporation is tasked with developing methods to mitigate risks associated with digital fabrication (Section 3, f, 10), the text notes that the tools themselves are used for "mitigating risks" (Section 2, 9), implying there are inherent risks associated with these manufacturing technologies that must be managed.
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Financial Limitations on Leadership: To prevent the misuse of funds, the corporation is prohibited from distributing income or assets to its directors, officers, or members (Section 3, h, 2). Additionally, it cannot issue any kind of securities or pay dividends (Section 3, h, 1).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students+6Good For Business Owners+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Native Americans+3Good For Rural Residents+2Good For Urban Residents+2
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+6Improves Small Business Support+5
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+5Increases Public School Funding+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Transit+1
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+1
- 6/24/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska