H.R. 3426 – Reading Mode

IIB

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3426

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 16, 2025

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

AN ACT

To amend title 40, United States Code, to limit the construction of new courthouses under certain circumstances, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Courthouse Affordability and Space Efficiency (CASE) Act of 2025.

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:

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.

Passed the House of Representatives September 15, 2025.

Kevin F. McCumber,

Clerk.