Boozman, Durbin, Cramer Introduce New Legislation to Advance Judicial Independence and Security

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) in introducing new, bipartisan legislation to give the federal judiciary authority to manage courthouse facilities in 10 judicial districts across the country.

The Judicial Space and Facilities Management Effectiveness Act (JSFMEA) would establish a pilot program allowing the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) to assume control of courthouse facilities from the General Services Administration (GSA) in up to 10 judicial districts to improve security and safety in those facilities. The bill would also create a Judiciary Buildings Service with authority over their maintenance, construction, leasing, and alterations and establish a dedicated Judicial Space and Facilities Management Fund to support these operations. JSFMEA includes multiple layers of oversight, including: annual independent audits of the Judicial Space and Facilities Management Fund; congressional approval and reporting requirements for major projects; biennial Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports on operations, spending, and potential waste or mismanagement; and reports to Congress every two years on implementation. The program sunsets in phases beginning after seven years, allowing Congress to evaluate the AO's performance prior to any extension or expansion.

The Senators' new bill comes after public reporting that a federal judge serving in the Northern District of Illinois contracted Legionnaires' disease and believes the illness was linked to the water system in the Dirksen Courthouse.

"Our federal courts deserve facilities that are well maintained and able to meet the needs of the judges, legal professionals and the public they serve. By creating a pilot program, this bill offers a commonsense way to evaluate whether a more responsive management structure is feasible while maintaining accountability in our courthouses in Arkansas and across the country," said Boozman.

"Managing the federal government's real estate portfolio is an enormous undertaking, and too often our courthouses are at the bottom of the priority list for maintenance, repairs, and upgrades. The Judiciary is a separate part of government and just like Congress, it should not be subservient to Executive branch management. Our Judicial Space and Facilities Management Effectiveness Act takes the first step in giving the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts the opportunity to attentively manage judicial branch buildings," said Cramer.

"This legislation provides the judiciary with the authority to manage and maintain its workplaces. It also gives Congress the ability to oversee and improve the judiciary's efforts. I am hopeful that by working together across our branches of government, we will make the most of this opportunity and ensure our federal courthouses remain safe, secure, and operating effectively for those who work in and visit them," said Durbin.

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