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119-hr-3426119th Congress

Courthouse Affordability and Space Efficiency Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6]

Passed House

Summary

Limits new federal courthouse construction and forces courtroom sharing. This bill would bar most new courthouse projects unless construction had already started or the design meets specific courtroom-sharing rules, and it would require the U.S. Courts Design Guide to be updated and the General Services Administration to fully use or relinquish existing courthouse space when adding capacity.

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  • Judges and courts: Sets courtroom minimums and sharing ratios. For active district judges it requires 2 courtrooms per 3 judges with a floor of 9 courtrooms; for bankruptcy judges it requires 1 courtroom per 2 judges plus 1 emergency courtroom; senior and magistrate judges get 1 courtroom per 2 judges with specified duty courtrooms.
  • Design and planning: Requires the U.S. Courts Design Guide to be updated within 180 days to incorporate the courtroom-sharing requirements to the maximum extent practicable.
  • Facilities and inventory: If a new courthouse increases GSA inventory, existing space in the same complex must be fully utilized or removed from GSA inventory, a rule intended to curb redundant construction and limit spare capacity.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

New courthouses must share courtrooms

If enacted, the General Services Administration would not be able to start a new courthouse if construction had not already begun before enactment. It would also bar starting a new courthouse unless its design meets courtroom‑sharing rules. For 10 or more active district judges, there would be 2 courtrooms for every 3 active judges, with at least 9 courtrooms. For 3 or more magistrate judges, there would be 1 courtroom for every 2 magistrates, plus one criminal duty courtroom, with the 1‑per‑2 rule rounded down if the number is odd. For 3 or more bankruptcy judges, there would be 1 courtroom for every 2 bankruptcy judges, plus one emergency matters courtroom, with rounding down if the number is odd. For 3 or more senior district judges, there would be 1 courtroom for every 2 senior judges.

Use or give up extra courthouse space

If a new courthouse would add capacity to the federal inventory, the General Services Administration would have to fully use or give up existing space in the same complex. The U.S. Courts Design Guide would also need to be updated within 180 days to add the courtroom‑sharing rules to the maximum extent practicable.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6]

IN • R

Cosponsors

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 5/15/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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