WHEREAS, semiconductors, sometimes referred to as integrated circuits (ICs) or computer chips, are sophisticated microchips made of pure elements such as silicon and germanium that are engineered to produce electrical charges and are an essential component of highly complex electronic devices, enabling advances in communications, supercomputers, health care, military systems, transportation, clean energy, and countless other applications; and

WHEREAS, the global share of semiconductor production in the United States dropped from 40 percent in 1990 to 11 percent in 2019 and the United States Senate passed the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) to invest $52 billion in domestic semiconductor manufacturing; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth is uniquely positioned to support innovation while strengthening the domestic semiconductor supply by contributing to semiconductor research, design, and production; and

WHEREAS, the separation in development and production of semiconductors exposes vulnerability to disruption due to dependence on overseas supply chains; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Commission on Technology and Science be directed to study semiconductor industry expansion in the Commonwealth. The Joint Commission on Technology and Science (the Commission) shall identify federal initiatives to support semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing to align existing assets in the Commonwealth with federal efforts to stimulate semiconductor industry growth.

In conducting its study, the Commission shall identify organizations and institutions of higher education that support innovation in semiconductor technology. The review shall seek input from semiconductor industry experts, defense contractors, and representatives from major electrical and computer engineering programs, including the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine, to investigate industry challenges and opportunities within the Commonwealth.

The Office of the Clerk of the House of Delegates shall provide administrative staff support. The Division of Legislative Services shall provide legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the Commission. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission for this study, upon request.

The Commission shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2022, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2023 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Commission intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.