The U.S. House of Representatives has approved the Local Access to Courts Act (LACA) with a 378-10 vote, aiming to enhance federal court accessibility in Texas and California. This legislation proposes adding College Station, Texas, and El Centro, California, as authorized locations for federal court proceedings.
Introduced by Representative Michael T. McCaul (R-TX) on January 22, 2025, LACA seeks to amend Title 28 of the United States Code. Specifically, it would include College Station in the list of venues for the Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas and add El Centro to the Southern District of California’s authorized locations. The bill’s text is available on the U.S. Government Publishing Office’s website.
By designating these cities as official venues, the bill aims to reduce travel burdens for litigants, attorneys, and court personnel residing in or near these areas. Currently, individuals from College Station and El Centro must travel to other cities to access federal court services. The Congressional Bill Digest provides a summary of the bill’s provisions.
Following its introduction, the bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee. On August 27, 2026, the committee reported the bill with an amendment, committing it to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordering it to be printed. The bill’s progress can be tracked on Congress.gov.
As the bill moves to the Senate for consideration, its potential enactment could significantly improve federal court access for residents in these regions, aligning with broader efforts to enhance the efficiency and reach of the federal judiciary.