Legislative Update: Is the SEMI Investment Act Inclusive of PCB and Substrates?

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In response to this week's news about new U.S. legislation being put forth by SEMI to support our domestic electronics supply chain—the Strengthening Essential Manufacturing and Industrial (SEMI) Investment Act—IPC’s Richard Capetto, senior director of North American Government Relations, made the following statement:

"IPC thanks Senators Blackburn (R-TN), Bennet (D-CO), Tills (R-NC), and Coons (D-DE) for introducing the Strengthening Essential Manufacturing and Industrial (SEMI) Investment Act to expand the advanced manufacturing investment credit. This bill is a positive step toward rebuilding a resilient electronics manufacturing ecosystem in the United States."

"IPC has consistently called for the CHIPS Act to support the entire electronics ecosystem from silicon to systems more fully. Such support should include expanding the Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit (AMIC) to cover critical segments of the electronics value chain that enable semiconductors to be manufactured and incorporated into functioning systems.  This bill would expand the credit to materials, substrates, and chemical manufacturers, representing an important segment of IPC member companies, as well as manufacturing capabilities that are critical to the semiconductor value chain. The 25% tax incentive for qualified investments in manufacturing facilities is a useful tool that can help spur investment in key parts of the ecosystem."

"In our recent comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce, IPC urged a proactive, pro-growth policy agenda to build a stronger, more resilient electronics ecosystem. A key part of that agenda is expanding eligibility for the AMIC to also include printed circuit board (PCB) and PCB assembly (PCBA) manufacturing — an action previously recommended by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security in its December 2023 assessment of the microelectronics supply chain."

"U.S. security depends on a robust and secure electronics manufacturing base. IPC is thrilled to see growing bipartisan support for expanding AMIC and looks forward to working with all those involved to ensure the AMIC can achieve the desired end-goal of securing the U.S. semiconductor supply chain."