Micro Act of 2022
Latest action (2 Mar 2022): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 3740, the "Micro Act of 2022" (also called the Microelectronics Research for Energy Innovation Act of 2022), would direct the Department of Energy to establish a comprehensive research, development, and demonstration program in microelectronics. The program would fund research on topics such as materials science, novel computing architectures, cybersecurity for microelectronics, manufacturing and fabrication techniques, energy efficiency, and sustainability. It would also create up to four Microelectronics Science Research Centers, operating for renewable five-year terms, to conduct mission-driven research and help transfer findings to industry.
The bill would affect the Department of Energy, its National Laboratories, and a range of eligible participants, including colleges and universities (including historically Black colleges, Tribal colleges, and other minority-serving institutions), nonprofit research organizations, state research agencies, and private companies, which could receive financial assistance or be designated as research centers. It also includes provisions for workforce development, education outreach—particularly to underrepresented groups—and coordination with other federal microelectronics initiatives. The bill authorizes funding for the overall program ($75–100 million annually, fiscal years 2022–2026) and for the research centers (up to $25 million per center annually over the same period).
The bill was introduced in the Senate on March 2, 2022, by Senator Mark Kelly and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. According to the Congressional Research Service, this bill itself was not enacted as standalone legislation, but its provisions were incorporated into other bills that were later enacted into law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Microelectronics Research for Energy Innovation Act of 2022 or the Micro Act of 2022
This bill requires the Department of Energy to carry out a program, which includes workforce training and development, to accelerate research for designing, developing, and manufacturing next-generation microelectronics.
Common questions
- What does S. 3740 do?
- S. 3740, the "Micro Act of 2022" (also called the Microelectronics Research for Energy Innovation Act of 2022), would direct the Department of Energy to establish a comprehensive research, development, and demonstration program in microelectronics. The program would fund research on topics such as materials science, novel computing architectures, cybersecurity for microelectronics, manufacturing and fabrication techniques, energy efficiency, and sustainability. It would also create up to four Microelectronics Science Research Centers, operating for renewable five-year terms, to conduct mission-driven research and help transfer findings to industry. The bill would affect the Department of Energy, its National Laboratories, and a range of eligible participants, including colleges and universities (including historically Black colleges, Tribal colleges, and other minority-serving institutions), nonprofit research organizations, state research agencies, and private companies, which could receive financial assistance or be designated as research centers. It also includes provisions for workforce development, education outreach—particularly to underrepresented groups—and coordination with other federal microelectronics initiatives. The bill authorizes funding for the overall program ($75–100 million annually, fiscal years 2022–2026) and for the research centers (up to $25 million per center annually over the same period). The bill was introduced in the Senate on March 2, 2022, by Senator Mark Kelly and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. According to the Congressional Research Service, this bill itself was not enacted as standalone legislation, but its provisions were incorporated into other bills that were later enacted into law.
- Has S. 3740 become law?
- Not yet. As of 2 Mar 2022, S. 3740 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 3740?
- S. 3740 was sponsored by Sen. Mark Kelly [D-AZ] (Democrat-AZ), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 3740?
- Introduced (2 Mar 2022).
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