H.R. 3597: Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act

Introduced May 23, 20259 cosponsors

Sponsor

Blake Moore

Blake Moore

Republican · UT-1

Bill Progress

IntroducedMay 23
Committee 
Pass House 
Pass Senate 
Signed 
Law 

Latest Action · May 23, 2025

1/3

Referred to Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. for review

PCB tax break, $3 billion push

Why it matters

The bill would start a new 25% tax credit after December 31, 2025 and back it with $3,000,000,000 in federal incentives aimed at moving printed circuit board and substrate production into the United States.

Oversight is a major part of the bill. The Secretary must set target dates for project start and completion, and missing those dates triggers progressive clawbacks of awarded funds. If a recipient knowingly enters joint research or technology licensing with a foreign entity of concern on national security-related technology, the penalty is full recovery of funds. Any waiver for project delays has to be reported to Congress within 15 days, including the reason, duration, and the entity's name. The Comptroller General must also review the program 2 years after the first award and then every 2 years for 10 years, looking at how awards were chosen, whether other federal programs were leveraged, and what outcomes were produced in facilities, R&D, workforce training, and U.S. global market share.

What does H.R. 3597 do?

1

25% tax credit for U.S.-made boards and substrates

The bill creates a tax credit worth 25% of the cost paid or incurred to purchase or acquire printed circuit boards and integrated circuit substrates fabricated in the United States, and it applies to amounts paid or incurred after December 31, 2025.

2

Treasury and Commerce define who qualifies

The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, would administer the credit. The bill specifically defines “fabricated” as using raw materials to manufacture a connected composite structure with conductive and non-conductive elements by subtractive, additive, or other technique.

3

$3,000,000,000 incentive program through 2065

Section 3 authorizes $3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, with funds available through fiscal year 2065, for manufacturing and R&D incentives tied to printed circuit boards and integrated circuit substrates in the United States.

4

$300,000,000 award cap, unless President intervenes

Individual awards under the financial assistance program are capped at $300,000,000 unless the President notifies Congress that a larger award is necessary for national security or economic competitiveness.

5

Small business exception to some application rules

Applicants usually must show a documented project interest, an executable sustainability plan, worker and community investment commitments, and commitments from educational or training entities. But small businesses are exempt from the worker/community investment and educational commitment requirements.

6

Clawbacks, 15-day reports, and 10 years of reviews

The Secretary must set target dates for project commencement and completion, and missed deadlines trigger progressive recovery of funds. Delay waivers must be reported to Congress within 15 days, and the Comptroller General must review the program 2 years after the first award and then biennially for 10 years.

Who benefits from H.R. 3597?

U.S. manufacturers buying domestic circuit boards and substrates

They could claim a tax credit equal to 25% of the cost of printed circuit boards and integrated circuit substrates fabricated in the United States for amounts paid or incurred after December 31, 2025.

Companies building or upgrading U.S. PCB and substrate facilities

Covered entities could compete for direct federal incentives from a program funded at $3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, including support for construction, expansion, modernization, workforce training, real property concessions, and R&D.

Small and diverse-owned businesses

Small businesses, minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, and veteran-owned businesses get preference in awards, and small businesses also get an exception from the worker/community investment and educational commitment requirements.

Colleges, training providers, and disadvantaged workers

The bill favors projects that partner with HBCUs, Hispanic-serving institutions, Tribal Colleges, minority-serving institutions, rural-serving institutions, or organizations offering stackable or portable credentials, and it requires many applicants to include training and education benefits plus programs for economically disadvantaged individuals.

Who is affected by H.R. 3597?

Foreign entities of concern

They are explicitly barred from receiving funds under the Section 3 incentive program, and recipients risk full recovery of funds if they knowingly engage in joint research or technology licensing with such entities on national security-related technology.

Grant and subsidy recipients that miss deadlines

Recipients would face progressive clawbacks if they fail to meet the project commencement and completion dates set by the Secretary, although any waiver has to be reported to Congress within 15 days with the reason, duration, and entity name.

Federal agencies running and policing the program

The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, would oversee the tax credit, while the program itself requires ongoing oversight including Comptroller General reviews starting 2 years after the first award and continuing every 2 years for 10 years.

States, territories, D.C., and Tribal governments

The bill's definition of “State” includes the 50 States, the District of Columbia, commonwealths, territories, possessions, and federally recognized Indian Tribes, meaning projects across all of those jurisdictions can be part of the incentive structure.

H.R. 3597 Common Questions

How much is the tax credit for U.S.-made printed circuit boards under HR3597?

The Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act would create a tax credit equal to 25% of the cost of printed circuit boards and integrated circuit substrates fabricated in the United States (Section 2(a)).

When does the PCB tax credit start under the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act?

Under the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act, the 25% credit applies to amounts paid or incurred after December 31, 2025 (Section 2(d)).

How much money does HR3597 provide for U.S. PCB and substrate manufacturing incentives?

According to HR3597 Section 3(e), the bill authorizes $3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, and the money would remain available through fiscal year 2065.

What is the maximum award size under the PCB manufacturing incentive program?

Under the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act, a single award generally cannot exceed $300,000,000 unless the President notifies Congress that a larger award is needed (Section 3(b)(3)(B)).

Can a company lose all funding for working with a foreign entity of concern on sensitive technology?

Yes. Under HR3597 Section 3(b)(5)(B), the Secretary must recover all funds if a recipient knowingly enters joint research or technology licensing with a foreign entity of concern on national security-related technology.

Does HR3597 claw back funds if a PCB project misses its start or completion deadlines?

Yes. Under the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act, the Secretary must set target start and completion dates, and missing them triggers progressive recovery of funds (Section 3(b)(5)(A)).

Do small businesses get an exception from workforce and training commitments in the PCB bill?

Yes. Under HR3597 Section 3(b)(2)(C), small businesses are exempt from the worker and community investment requirement and the educational or training commitment requirement.

Can foreign entities of concern receive PCB manufacturing funds under HR3597?

No. The Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act bars approval of applications from foreign entities of concern and says no funds may be provided to them (Section 3(b)(2)(G)).

Which businesses get priority for PCB incentive awards under the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act?

HR3597 gives preference to small, minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses, among others, under Section 3(b)(2)(F).

Does HR3597 require Congress to be notified when project delay penalties are waived?

Yes. Under the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act, any waiver of a clawback for project delays must be reported to Congress within 15 days (Section 3(b)(5)(C)(i)(II)).

Based on H.R. 3597 bill text

Cost & Funding

Authorization: $3,000,000,000

  • Authorized for fiscal year 2026.
  • Funds remain available through fiscal year 2065.
  • Separate from the tax credit, which would reduce federal revenue by 25% of qualifying purchase or acquisition costs but does not state a total cap in the fact sheet.
  • Individual incentive awards are capped at $300,000,000 unless the President notifies Congress that a larger award is necessary for national security or economic competitiveness.

HR3597 Legislative Journey

1 actions

House: Committee Action

May 23, 2025

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

About the Sponsor

Blake Moore

Blake Moore

Republican, Utah's 1st congressional district · 5 years in Congress

Committees: the Budget, Ways and Means

View full profile →

Cosponsors (9)

No new cosponsors in 147 days — momentum stalled

This bill has 9 cosponsors: 6 Democrats, 3 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 6 states: Colorado, Illinois, North Carolina, and 3 more.

6Democrats3Republicans·6 statesBipartisan

Committee Sponsors

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

17D21R
|2 signed36 not yet

2 of 38 committee members cosponsored

Energy and Commerce Committee

24D30R
|0 signed54 not yet

0 of 54 committee members cosponsored

No committee members have cosponsored this bill

Ways and Means Committee

19D26R
|0 signed45 not yet

0 of 45 committee members cosponsored

No committee members have cosponsored this bill

72 Republicans across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents

Constituent Resources

Get notified when this bill moves

Official Sources

H.R. 3597 on Congress.gov

Official legislative page for the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act, including text, status, and sponsors.

Commerce Department CHIPS for America

The bill creates a Commerce-led incentive program for domestic electronics manufacturing, making CHIPS for America a closely related official program reference.

Internal Revenue Service — General Business Credit

Section 2 adds the new PCB credit to the general business credit under Internal Revenue Code section 38, so IRS guidance on the general business credit is directly relevant.

U.S. House Office of the Law Revision Counsel — Title 15, Chapter 72A

The bill incorporates the definition of 'foreign entity of concern' from 15 U.S.C. 4651, which is codified in the CHIPS-related provisions of Title 15.

U.S. Government Publishing Office — Public Law 116-283

This is the official text of the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act referenced for the statutory definition of foreign entities of concern.

U.S. Small Business Administration — Size Standards

HR3597 uses the Small Business Act definition of small business, so SBA size standards help explain which firms may qualify for exceptions and preferences.

Government Accountability Office

The bill directs the Comptroller General to conduct recurring reviews of the incentive program, making GAO the official oversight body to watch.

Code of Federal Regulations — 13 CFR 121.103

The bill specifically excludes the SBA affiliation rule at 13 CFR 121.103 from its small business definition, so this regulation is directly relevant to eligibility.

H.R. 3597 Bill Text

PDF

To provide incentives for the domestic production of printed circuit boards, and for other purposes.

Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office

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