Courthouse Affordability and Space Efficiency Act of 2025

119th Congress Introduced by Eleanor Holmes Norton and 1 co-sponsor

The CASE Act of 2025 limits new federal courthouse construction, promotes courtroom sharing, and aims to cut taxpayer costs by ensuring efficient space use.

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Purpose of the Legislation

The Courthouse Affordability and Space Efficiency (CASE) Act of 2025 aims to amend Title 40 of the United States Code to impose limitations on the construction of new federal courthouses under specific circumstances. The intent is to address issues related to overbuilding, cost inefficiencies, and the effective use of courthouse space.

Key Provisions

Limitations on Construction: The bill seeks to restrict the construction of new courthouses unless certain criteria are met, focusing on the necessity and efficiency of space utilization.

Judgeship Projections: It addresses the historical inaccuracies in the Judiciary's projections for the number of judges, which have led to excessive courthouse sizes and costs.

Courtroom Sharing Policies: The legislation encourages the adoption of courtroom sharing among judges to maximize the use of available space and reduce the need for additional courtrooms.

Review Process: The bill mandates a revised process for proposing new courthouses, emphasizing the need for accurate judgeship projections and the implementation of courtroom sharing policies.

Background and Need for Legislation

The need for the CASE Act stems from findings by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that highlighted significant overbuilding in federal courthouses, resulting in unnecessary costs to taxpayers. Key issues identified include:
- Overestimation of Judges: The Judiciary has historically overestimated the number of judges, leading to the construction of courthouses with excess space.
- Lack of Courtroom Sharing: Many courthouses do not utilize courtroom sharing effectively, resulting in underused facilities.
- Cost Implications: Between 2000 and 2010, over 3.56 million square feet of unnecessary space was built, costing taxpayers over $800 million.

Who Would Be Affected

Federal Judiciary: The bill directly impacts the federal court system by changing how new courthouses are proposed and constructed.

Taxpayers: By limiting unnecessary courthouse construction, the bill aims to reduce costs borne by taxpayers.

Judges and Court Staff: The implementation of courtroom sharing policies may alter how judges and their staff operate within courthouses.

Legislative Timeline

Introduced: May 15, 2025

House Actions:

Passed in the House on September 15, 2025, after a debate and a voice vote.
Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on September 8, 2025.

Senate Actions: Received in the Senate on September 16, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Current Status: As of September 19, 2025, the House requested the return of papers pursuant to H.Res. 747.

Conclusion

The CASE Act of 2025 represents a significant step towards improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of federal courthouse construction. By addressing historical inefficiencies and promoting better planning, the legislation aims to ensure that future courthouse projects are both necessary and economically viable.

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