Austin News

U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) announced that their Improving Access to Our Courts Act, which permits federal court proceedings at the U.S. District Court in Alpine, Texas, has been signed into law. The Alpine courthouse is one of seven U.S. District Courts for the Western District of Texas and serves nine counties.

“The Improving Access to Our Courts Act will help ensure our nation’s judicial system is more accessible to Texans in the Big Bend region,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I am glad this bill was signed into law as it improves judicial efficiency and provides West Texans with easier access to a federal courthouse near their community.”

“I am proud to have worked with my Texan colleagues to increase accessibility to our federal courts for victims, parties, counsel, and the general public,” said Sen. Cruz. “Through this needed addition, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas is now able to provide more efficient service to the people of West Texas, allowing them to seek redress without needing to drive for several hours to the nearest federal courthouse.”

Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) are also cosponsors of the bill. U.S. Representatives Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Rick Larsen (WA-02), and Suzan DelBene (WA-01) led the legislation in the House.

This legislation clarifies that federal court proceedings may be held in Alpine, Texas, for the Western District of Texas, and in Mt. Vernon, Washington, for the Western District of Washington. Previously, litigants typically signed waivers for court proceedings in Alpine. Updating the law removes this bureaucratic hurdle and encourages more local court proceedings at both courthouses without incurring new costs since both facilities are already operational.