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

This bill would create a new nonprofit organization called the National Fab Lab Network. The group would not be a federal government agency, but a separate nonprofit corporation based on District of Columbia nonprofit law.

What a “fab lab” means under the bill

The bill defines a fab lab as a facility with tools and equipment for turning digital designs into physical objects. That includes:

• computer-controlled machines for making and shaping materials;
• tools for building and programming electronics;
• materials and methods for small-scale production;
• workflows for 3D design and digitizing objects.

The facility also has to be focused on education, innovation, entrepreneurship, personal expression, self-sufficiency, or community benefit through digital fabrication.

What the network would be expected to do

The corporation’s main purpose would be to build and support a nationwide network of local fab labs. Its stated goals include:

• making digital fabrication more broadly accessible;
• supporting existing and future fab labs;
• linking local labs into one national network;
• using these labs to support STEM education, invention, business creation, job training, and community needs;
• treating digital fabrication as a useful skill for education and workforce development.

Specific activities the corporation would carry out

The bill says the network should try to establish at least one fab lab in each congressional district, with priority given to underserved communities. It would also seek to add more labs where local demand exists.

Other listed activities include:

• connecting fab labs across the country and internationally;
• helping communities and organizations set up and run fab labs;
• training fab lab leaders and mentors;
• maintaining a national registry of fab labs;
• setting standards and protocols for how labs connect and operate;
• helping existing fab labs produce additional fab labs.

Governance and structure

The corporation would be run by a board of 7 to 15 members. The board would be expected to reflect a mix of regions and stakeholder groups, including Tribal communities, schools and research institutions, libraries, nonprofit and commercial organizations, and the Fab Foundation. The initial board would be appointed by congressional leaders in both chambers, in consultation with the Fab Foundation.

Funding and powers

The corporation would be allowed to:

• accept money from private donors, organizations, and government entities;
• give money to other organizations to establish and operate fab labs;
• make contracts;
• buy, lease, or transfer property;
• borrow money and issue debt instruments;
• charge membership dues and subscription fees;
• sue and be sued.

It would also be allowed to develop rules, bylaws, and risk-mitigation practices for digital fabrication.

Limits on the corporation

The bill prohibits the corporation from issuing stock or paying dividends. It also bars the organization’s income or assets from being used for the personal benefit of directors, officers, or members, except for reasonable pay or reimbursement of expenses. It may not make loans to directors, officers, or employees. It also cannot claim to be a federal government entity or imply government approval beyond its creation under the act.

Reporting

The corporation would have to keep financial and organizational records, allow member inspection of those records for proper purposes, and submit an annual report to House and Senate committees on its activities.

Relevant Companies

None found