Summary
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
- in courthouses with 10 or more active district judges, GSA must provide two courtrooms per 3 active district judges (except such courthouses may contain not less than 9 courtrooms for active district judges);
- in courthouses with 3 or more bankruptcy judges, GSA must provide one courtroom per 2 bankruptcy judges;
- in courthouses with 3 or more senior district judges, GSA must provide one courtroom per 2 senior district judges; and
- in courthouses with 3 or more magistrate judges, GSA must provide one courtroom per 2 magistrate judges.
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.)
Legislative Journey
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
SenateMessage on Senate action sent to the House.
SenateSenate returned papers to the House.
HouseSenate returned papers to House by by Unanimous Consent.
SenateSenate Committee on Environment and Public Works discharged by Unanimous Consent.
SenateSenate Committee on Environment and Public Works discharged by Unanimous Consent.
House requested return of papers pursuant to H.Res. 747
HouseReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
SenateMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
HouseOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4278)
HousePassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4278)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3426.
HouseConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4278)
HouseMr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
HousePlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 197.
HouseReported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-240.
HouseReported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-240.
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
HouseCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
HouseSubcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Discharged
HouseReferred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
HouseReferred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
HouseIntroduced in House
Introduced in House