Courthouse Affordability and Space Efficiency (CASE) Act of 2025
This bill provides statutory authority for the General Services Administration (GSA) courtroom sharing policy and limits construction of new courthouses.
Under the bill, GSA must ensure courtroom sharing by magistrate, bankruptcy, and senior district judges. Specifically
GSA is prohibited from constructing a new courthouse that does not comply with the courtroom sharing requirements. Additionally, if a new courthouse will add capacity in the GSA inventory, existing space in the same courthouse complex must be fully utilized or relinquished from such inventory.
GSA must update the U.S. Courts Design Guide to reflect these requirements within 180 days after the bill's enactment. (The Design Guide sets forth the federal judiciary’s requirements for the design, construction, and renovation of court facilities and is intended for use by individuals involved in federal court construction projects.)
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3426 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3426
To amend title 40, United States Code, to limit the construction of new
courthouses under certain circumstances, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 15, 2025
Mr. Shreve (for himself and Ms. Norton) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 40, United States Code, to limit the construction of new
courthouses under certain circumstances, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Courthouse Affordability and Space
Efficiency (CASE) Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. REDUCING COSTS RELATED TO COURTHOUSES.
(a) In General.--Chapter 33 of title 40, United States Code, as
amended by this act, is further amended by adding at the end the
following:
``Sec. 3320. Reducing costs related to courthouses
``(a) Limitation on New Courthouses.--The Administrator of General
Services may not commence construction of any new courthouse if--
``(1) construction has not begun on or before the date of
enactment of this section; and
``(2) the design and construction of the new courthouse
fails to comply, at a minimum, with the courtroom sharing
requirements described in subsection (b).
``(b) Courtroom Sharing Requirements Defined.--The term `courtroom
sharing requirements' means--
``(1) in courthouses with 10 or more active district
judges, 2 courtrooms per 3 active district judges, except such
courthouses may contain not less than 9 courtrooms for active
district judges;
``(2) in courthouses with 3 or more bankruptcy judges, 1
courtroom per 2 bankruptcy judges;
``(3) in courthouses with 3 or more senior district judges,
1 courtroom per 2 senior district judges; and
``(4) in courthouses with 3 or more magistrate judges, 1
courtroom per 2 magistrate judges.
``(c) United States Courts Design Guide.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of enactment of this section, the Design Guide for
courthouses shall be updated to incorporate courtroom sharing
requirements to the maximum extent practicable.
``(d) Utilization.--If a new courthouse will add capacity in the
inventory of the General Services Administration, existing space in the
same courthouse complex must be fully utilized or relinquished from the
inventory of the General Services Administration.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 33 of title 40,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``3320. Reducing costs related to courthouses.''.
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Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Discharged
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-240.
Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-240.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 197.
Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4278)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3426.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4278)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4278)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
House requested return of papers pursuant to H.Res. 747.
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate returned papers to House by by Unanimous Consent.
Senate returned papers to the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.