MAKERS Act

Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 28, 2025

Making Advances Kinetic Education, Research, and Skills Act or the MAKERS Act

This bill requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award competitive grants to institutions of higher education to support research and development related to makerspaces. Under the bill, makerspaces are defined as community spaces that provide learners and entrepreneurs with tools, technology, and knowledge, and support educational opportunities for personal growth, workforce training, and early-stage business ventures.

Grant funds may be used to support research on the effectiveness of makerspaces in engaging students and communities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), among other functions.

In awarding grants, the NSF must prioritize certain applicants, including (1) community colleges and minority-serving institutions; and (2) institutions that apply in partnership with workforce development entities, high-need local educational agencies, or independent nonprofit or academic makerspaces.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13] · D–GA

Committees

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

11 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Jan 28, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Jan 28, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 28, 2025
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jan 28, 2025 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Mar 20, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.812 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.812, 119th Congress: MAKERS Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/812

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2025-01-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr812/BILLS-119hr812ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-20T08:06:55Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.812 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.812 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.812, 119th Congress: MAKERS Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/812

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2025-01-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr812/BILLS-119hr812ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-20T08:06:55Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.812 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.812 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.812, 119th Congress: MAKERS Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/812

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2025-01-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr812/BILLS-119hr812ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-20T08:06:55Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.812 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.812 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.812, 119th Congress: MAKERS Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/812

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2025-01-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr812/BILLS-119hr812ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-20T08:06:55Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.812 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.