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Standard Summary
Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs
Local Access to Courts Act (LACA) would narrowly modify where certain U.S. district courts in Texas and California may hold court sessions. Specifically, it adds College Station, Texas to the list of cities where Texas district courts may sit, and it adds El Centro, California as an additional venue for California district courts alongside San Diego. The bill is framed as a clarifying measure to expand local access to federal courts by allowing proceedings to be held in these additional communities. It does not create new courts, alter jurisdictional boundaries, or provide funding; it simply expands the list of permissible court locations.
Key Points
- 1Short title: The bill is named the Local Access to Courts Act (LACA).
- 2Texas provision: Amends 28 U.S.C. § 124(b)(2) to insert “College Station” as an authorized venue for specified Texas district courts.
- 3California provision: Amends 28 U.S.C. § 84(d) to insert “El Centro” after “San Diego” as an authorized venue for California district courts.
- 4Nature of change: These are clarifying amendments that proffer additional cities where court may be held within those districts; no new courts or jurisdictions are created.
- 5Effective/operational notes: The text does not include an explicit effective date or funding provisions; implementation would follow standard enactment processes unless otherwise specified.
Impact Areas
Primary group/area affected: Residents, attorneys, and businesses in College Station, Texas, and El Centro, California, who use or rely on federal court access.Secondary group/area affected: Other participants in the federal court system within those districts (e.g., jurors, court staff, witnesses) and local government facilities that may host proceedings.Additional impacts: Potential logistical and operational considerations for the federal judiciary (e.g., scheduling, security, courtroom availability) to accommodate additional venue locations; no funding changes are specified, so costs would depend on existing judiciary resources and any related budget decisions.
Generated by gpt-5-nano on Nov 18, 2025