US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US Federal Senate Bill SB32

Introduced
1/8/25  
Refer
1/8/25  

Caption

Local Access to Courts Act or LACAThis bill adds College Station to the list of places where court must be held in the Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas. Additionally, the bill adds El Centro to the list of places where court must be held in the Southern District of California.  

Impact

The primary impact of SB 32 would be to facilitate greater access to the judicial system for individuals residing in the newly designated court locations. By enabling district courts to operate in these communities, the bill intends to reduce travel burdens for litigants, potentially improving participation in legal processes. This move could lead to a more equitable distribution of court resources and services, as well as enhancing the overall efficiency of the judicial system in handling cases across these states.

Summary

Senate Bill 32, known as the Local Access to Courts Act (LACA), aims to clarify the locations where district courts may convene in Texas and California. The bill specifically amends Title 28 of the United States Code to include additional cities—College Station in Texas and El Centro in California—as authorized venues for these district courts. This change seeks to enhance judicial access for residents in these areas by establishing localized court proceedings that may currently be unavailable or require residents to travel considerable distances for legal matters.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB 32 appears to be largely supportive among advocates for increased local access to the court system. Many stakeholders argue that the bill represents a positive step toward ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their geographic location, have the opportunity to engage with the judicial system without unnecessary barriers. However, there may be some concerns regarding funding and resource allocation for these new court locations, which could emerge during subsequent discussions.

Contention

While no significant points of contention were noted in the available discussions, any legislation that impacts the organization of the judicial system may face scrutiny regarding its implementation. Stakeholders may question how the expansion of district courts will affect existing court structures, particularly in terms of staffing and resources. Additionally, the potential for increased case loads in these new locations could raise questions about the adequacy of judicial support and infrastructure to handle additional demands.

Congress_id

119-S-32

Policy_area

Law

Introduced_date

2025-01-08

Companion Bills

US HB625

Identical bill Local Access to Courts Act or LACAThis bill adds College Station to the list of places where court must be held in the Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas.Additionally, the bill adds El Centro to the list of places where court must be held in the Southern District of California.

US HB1702

Related bill JUDGES Act of 2025 Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2025

Previously Filed As

US HB625

Local Access to Courts Act or LACAThis bill adds College Station to the list of places where court must be held in the Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas.Additionally, the bill adds El Centro to the list of places where court must be held in the Southern District of California.

US HB250

This bill requires the Joint Committee on the Library to contract for and place a statue of Benjamin Franklin in the Capitol.The committee shall place the statue in a permanent public location where it is accessible during a guided tour provided by the Capitol Visitor Center.The contract must be executed by December 31, 2025, and the statue must be placed by December 31, 2026. 

US SB54

This bill increases from two to three the total number of U.S. district court judgeships for the District of Idaho. The President must appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, one additional judge for that judicial district.

US HB319

This bill increases from two to three the total number of U.S. district court judgeships for the District of Idaho. The President must appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, one additional judge for that judicial district.

US HB422

No Subsidies for Wealthy Universities ActThis bill limits the indirect costs that are allowable under federal research awards to institutions of higher education (IHEs) with endowments above specified thresholds. (Generally, indirect costs represent expenses that are not specific to a research project but are needed to maintain the infrastructure and administrative support for federally funded research.)Specifically, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) must annually collect information regarding the endowments of each IHE that has entered into a program participation agreement with the Department of Education.With this collected information, NCES must identify and make lists of (1) each IHE with an endowment of more than $5 billion, and (2) each IHE with an endowment of more than $2 billion (but not more than $5 billion). NCES must submit these lists to the Office of Management and Budget, which must then distribute the lists to federal agencies, Congress, and the public.The bill establishes the following limits on the indirect costs allowable under federal research awards:for an IHE with an endowment of more than $5 billion, the IHE is prohibited from using these awards for indirect costs;for an IHE with an endowment of more than $2 billion (but not more than $5 billion), the IHE is limited to an indirect cost rate of 8%; andfor all other IHEs, an indirect cost rate of 15%.The Government Accountability Office must annually report to Congress on indirect cost reimbursement on federal research awards for IHEs.

US AB580

Surface mining: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

US SB1077

District of Columbia Local Funds Act, 2025This bill appropriates FY2025 local funds to the District of Columbia for programs and activities included in the District's Fiscal Year 2025 Local Budget Act of 2024. Under current law, Congress is required to approve the District's annual budget. This bill approves the budget and allows the District to spend local funds for programs and activities that are included in the budget at the rates specified in the budget. 

US S10181

Establishes the Birch Hill - Highview Water District in the town of Southeast, Putnam County.

US A11258

Establishes the Birch Hill - Highview Water District in the town of Southeast, Putnam County.

US SB76

Setting Manageable Analysis Requirements in Text Act of 2025 or the SMART Act of 2025This bill requires agencies, when publishing a proposed or final major rule, to include a framework for assessing whether the rule achieves its regulatory objective. An agency must assess a rule in the time frame included in the framework. The assessment must compare the rule's anticipated and actual benefits and costs.Additionally, the assessment must determine whether (1) the rule has been rendered unnecessary because of changes to the subject area affected by the rule or it overlaps with, duplicates, or conflicts with other rules, or state and local government regulations; (2) the rule should be expanded, streamlined, or otherwise modified to accomplish the rule's objective; and (3) other alternatives or modifications to the rule could better achieve the rule's objective. The bill defines a major rule as a rule likely to cause (1) an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices; or (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, health, safety, the environment, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises. 

Similar Bills

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