LACA

Where it stands

1. Introduced Done · Jan 8, 2025
2. Committee Done · Jan 8, 2025
3. Passed Senate Done · Feb 12, 2025
4. Passed House Done · Aug 31, 2026
5. President Done · Sep 14, 2026
6. Law Done · Sep 16, 2026

From the official actions on Congress.gov.

Key points

What it changes

A plain-language summary isn't ready yet. The official summary below describes the bill.

Who it affects

A plain-language summary isn't ready yet. The official summary below describes the bill.

What it costs

No cost estimate yet.

Where it stands

Became Public Law No: 119-109. (Sep 16, 2026)

What happens next

Nothing more is needed from Congress. It is now law.

Official summary

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.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service (Public Law version), via Congress.gov.

Recorded votes

1. HOUSEFinal passageAug 31, 2026 · roll call 285

   On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass: Passed (378–10)

   This vote decided whether the bill passes this chamber.
   Votes by party

   How each party voted on roll call 285

   Party	Yes	No	Present	Did not vote	Share voting Yes
   Democratic	191	0	0	21
   Republican	186	10	0	21
   Independent	1	0	0	0

   Party totals from the official roll call.

   Office of the Clerk, U.S. House ↗ — includes how every member voted

Vote types come from the official question text. How we label votes

Legislative history

1. Sep 16, 2026Became Public Law No: 119-109.
2. Sep 16, 2026Became Public Law No: 119-109.
3. Sep 16, 2026Signed by President.
4. Sep 16, 2026Signed by President.
5. Sep 14, 2026Presented to President.
6. Sep 14, 2026Presented to President.
7. Aug 31, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
8. Aug 31, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 378 - 10 (Roll no. 285). (text: CR H5272)
9. Aug 31, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 378 - 10 (Roll no. 285). (text: CR H5272)
10. Aug 31, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5347-5348)
11. Aug 31, 2026At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
12. Aug 31, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 32.
13. Aug 31, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5272-5273)
14. Aug 31, 2026Mr. Schmidt moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
15. Feb 13, 2025Held at the desk.
16. Feb 13, 2025Received in the House.
17. Feb 13, 2025Message on Senate action sent to the House.
18. Feb 12, 2025Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S932; text: CR S932)
19. Feb 12, 2025Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
20. Feb 12, 2025Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
21. Feb 12, 2025Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
22. Jan 8, 2025Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
23. Jan 8, 2025Introduced in Senate