Are you following H.R. 7677?
This bill—otherwise known as Supporting American Printed Circuit Boards Act of 2022—could boost the electronics manufacturing industry.
H.R. 7677 seeks to increase production of printed circuit boards, or PCBs, within the United States.
It would do so by providing “incentives for the domestic production of printed circuit boards, and for other purposes,” according to congress.gov.
Additional purposes include investment in factories, training, and further research and development.
Why Does H.R. 7677 Matter?
PCBs are considered as essential to electronics manufacturing as semiconductors. They are vital to national security and critical for medical equipment, vehicle manufacturing, etc.
Semiconductors have recently secured federal support from the CHIPs and Science Act of 2022.
But industry leaders argue that securing the supply chain for electronics manufacturing requires a holistic focus on semiconductors as well as PCBs.
At present, the United States lags behind other producers of PCBs.
Despite maintaining 30 percent of PCB share in 2000, the United States now produces 4 percent of PCBs, according to IPC, a trade association for electronics manufacturing.
China, meanwhile, produces about half of all PCBs worldwide.
What’s the Proposed Budget for H.R. 7677?
If approved, the legislation would earmark $3 billion for PCB investment in fiscal year (FY) 2022. Funds would remain available through FY 2023.
Individual awards would be capped at $150 million, “to the extent that such use meets the national security needs or enhances the economic competitiveness of the United States,” according to the legislative text.
Who’s Behind H.R. 7677?
Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Rep. Blake D. Moore (R-UT) introduced the legislation in May.
Co-sponsors include:
- Dina Titus (D-NV)
- Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA)
- Frank J. Mrvan (D-IN)
- Tim Ryan (D-OH)
The trade association IPC also backs H.R. 7677.
“This bipartisan legislation, if passed, will stimulate critical investments in PCB research and manufacturing in the United States,” says IPC President and CEO John Mitchell.
“We’re glad to see so many industry leaders agree and join us in urging congressional support for this bill.”
More than 100 industry leaders have also signed a letter of support for H.R. 7677.
Does PRIDE Industries Support H.R. 7677?
As an experienced provider of electronics manufacturing services within the United States, PRIDE Industries supports H.R. 7677.
“Protecting domestic production of PCBs is a matter of national security,” says Tony Lopez, Vice President of Manufacturing and Logistics, at PRIDE Industries.
“As a country, we need to continue investing in domestic electronics manufacturing. Passing H.R. 7677 would be a very positive step.”
Lopez oversees a team of engineers, including many who are certified by the Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA). The team provides engineering services to a manufacturing factory that produces printed circuit board assemblies, cables and cable harnesses, and medical devices.
“We take domestic manufacturing seriously,” Lopez says. “It’s why we support our engineers in becoming SMTA-certified, which includes higher-level training in PCB manufacturing. The future of US manufacturing depends on making these skills and capabilities a national priority.”
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“As a country, we need to continue investing in domestic electronics manufacturing. Passing H.R. 7677 would be a very positive step.”
