National Fab Lab Network Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Introduced
Summary
National Fab Lab Network would create a nonprofit corporation to link local fab labs and expand public access to digital fabrication tools, training, and standards.
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- Families and communities: Expands local access to tools for making and short-run production, aiming for at least one fab lab in each congressional district and prioritizing underserved areas.
- Students and educators: Provides a national platform for STEM education and research, promotes digital fabrication as a core literacy, and supports new classroom and workforce training methods.
- Local labs and operators: Organizes a membership nonprofit with a board of 7–15 directors, initial appointments allocating two seats each to the Senate majority leader, Senate minority leader, Speaker, and House minority leader. The corporation can accept and distribute funds, set standards, keep a national registry, and help existing fab labs expand or open new sites.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Create national fab lab network
If enacted, the bill would create a nonprofit called the National Fab Lab Network to coordinate local fab labs. The bill would define what counts as a "fab lab" and set goals to expand access, STEM skills, entrepreneurship, and jobs. The corporation would seek to establish at least one fab lab in every congressional district and prioritize underserved communities. These are program goals; the bill does not itself guarantee specific federal funding.
Grants, fees, and funding powers
If enacted, the corporation would be able to accept money from private donors, government agencies, and others and distribute grants to organizations to start or run fab labs. The corporation would be able to borrow money and secure loans using its property. The corporation would be allowed to run workforce training and job-creation programs. The corporation would also be allowed to charge membership dues and subscription fees to members or subscribers. The bill does not set exact funding amounts, borrowing limits, or fee levels.
Rules for governance and protections
If enacted, the corporation's board would have between 7 and 15 members representing regions, Tribal communities, schools, libraries, nonprofits, businesses, and the Fab Foundation. Initial board appointments would involve Congressional leaders working with the Fab Foundation. Voting members (or their agents) would be allowed to inspect meeting minutes and member records for a proper purpose. The corporation would be barred from issuing securities, paying dividends, or making loans to directors, officers, or employees, but it may pay reasonable compensation and reimbursements approved by the board.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
MD • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
AK • R
Sponsored 6/24/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov