Ҥ 3320. Reducing costs related to courthouses

“(a) Limitation on new courthouses.—The Administrator of General Services may not commence construction of any new courthouse if—

“(1) construction has not begun on or before the date of enactment of this section; and

“(2) the design and construction of the new courthouse fails to comply, at a minimum, with the courtroom sharing requirements described in subsection (b).

“(b) Courtroom sharing requirements defined.—The term ‘courtroom sharing requirements’ means—

“(1) in courthouses with 10 or more active district judges, 2 courtrooms per 3 active district judges, except such courthouses may contain not less than 9 courtrooms for active district judges;

“(2) in courthouses with 3 or more bankruptcy judges, 1 courtroom per 2 bankruptcy judges;

“(3) in courthouses with 3 or more senior district judges, 1 courtroom per 2 senior district judges; and

“(4) in courthouses with 3 or more magistrate judges, 1 courtroom per 2 magistrate judges.

“(c) United States Courts Design Guide.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Design Guide for courthouses shall be updated to incorporate courtroom sharing requirements to the maximum extent practicable.

“(d) Utilization.—If a new courthouse will add capacity in the inventory of the General Services Administration, existing space in the same courthouse complex must be fully utilized or relinquished from the inventory of the General Services Administration.”.