Virginia House Bill HJR32

Virginia 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22
• Report Pass: 2/3/22
• Refer: 2/3/22

Caption

Semiconductor industry; Jt. Commission on Technology & Science to study expansion in Commonwealth.

Impact

The bill aims to bolster the Commonwealth's semiconductor capabilities by encouraging collaboration between educational institutions and the semiconductor industry. The Joint Commission is tasked with identifying federal initiatives that support semiconductor research and development to align local capabilities with national efforts. By involving industry experts and defense contractors in its investigations, the resolution seeks to uncover both challenges and opportunities present in the semiconductor sector, which could lead to substantial growth and technological advancements in the region.

Summary

HJR32 is a resolution directing the Joint Commission on Technology and Science to study the expansion of the semiconductor industry within the Commonwealth. The resolution recognizes the critical importance of semiconductors in a wide array of applications, including communications, healthcare, military, and clean energy. It highlights the drastic decline in the U.S. share of semiconductor production from 40% in 1990 to just 11% in 2019, underscoring the need for renewed investment in domestic manufacturing, particularly in light of the Senate's approval of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, which allocates $52 billion for this purpose.

Contention

There may be some contention surrounding HJR32, primarily related to the dependence on federal initiatives and funding to drive local industry growth. While the focus on semiconductors positions the Commonwealth to take advantage of federal investments, critics may argue that it does not sufficiently address the immediate needs and capabilities of local businesses. Additionally, there may be concerns regarding how expansive the support for semiconductor research and manufacturing will truly be, as well as the effectiveness of the commission’s findings and recommendations in catalyzing real change within the Commonwealth.