S. 32 · Where this bill is now
Became law
Public Law 119-109, Sep 16, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryCourts added to Texas and California
This bill adds two locations where federal courts must hold sessions. College Station will be added to the Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas, and El Centro will be added to the Southern District of California. This means people in these areas won't have to travel as far to access federal courts.
How it affects you
If you live in or near College Station, Texas or El Centro, California, you'll have closer access to federal court proceedings instead of having to travel to distant court locations. People involved in federal legal matters in these areas—whether as defendants, plaintiffs, jurors, or witnesses—would benefit from having court sessions available locally.
Read the official summary (Public Law, Sep 16, 2026)
Local Access to Courts Act or LACA
This act 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 act adds El Centro to the list of places where court must be held in the Southern District of California.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 32
AN ACT
LACA
Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) · Introduced Jan 8, 2025 · Law · 3 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 16, 2026: “Became Public Law No: 119-109.”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsHouse · On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · Aug 31, 2026
Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Passed 378–10
| Party | Yes | No | Didn’t vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 191 | 0 | 21 |
| Independents | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Republicans | 186 | 10 | 21 |
10 members voted against most of their party: 10 Republicans voted No.
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.
Sections
The wording of this bill hasn’t changed across its 3 official versions.