Battle over federal courthouses erupts as GSA warns against giving judiciary more control

EXCLUSIVE: The agency overseeing U.S. courthouses is pushing back against a new bill that would give the judicial branch more property control, arguing that the judiciary has a history of mismanaging its buildings.

The General Services Administration (GSA), which serves as landlord for most federal courthouse space, said the bill would allow the judiciary to assume real property authority over facilities in up to 10 federal judicial districts from the GSA, including responsibility for repairing and maintaining facilities .

The bill, the Judicial Space and Facilities Management Effectiveness Act, was introduced July 30 by U.S.

Sens.

Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., and John Boozman, R-Ark.

Proponents of the bill argue that it is necessary because the GSA itself has poorly maintained judicial facilities.

Pointing to a building-management delegation program approved as a pilot in 1988, the GSA said participating courts encountered significant repair costs after assuming greater facilities responsibilities.

Judiciary records say GSA changed the program in 2004 to make participating agencies responsible for additional repair costs, including major and unforeseen repairs, and that the Judicial Conference voted in 2005 to withdraw from the program as a cost-saving measure.

VIDEO EXPOSES DISREPAIR LURKING BENEATH TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER AS $257M RENOVATION LOOMS Only one courthouse, the Hugo Black Federal Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama , remained under the judiciary, the agency said.

The Judicial Conference later approved continued delegated management authority for the Birmingham courthouse under specified cost limits and provisions for catastrophic repairs.

The building reportedly deteriorated significantly and accumulated $57.7 million in delinquent maintenance costs.

An analysis revealed extensive safety hazards, including improper chemical storage, inoperable elevator emergency phones and poorly maintained fire protection systems, among other issues, according to the GSA.

"The facility’s unique repair needs reflect poor maintenance practices that have shortened the useful life of expensive, critical systems, including elevators, chiller plants, and boilers," the agency said.

Despite holding autonomy over the courthouse, the judiciary repeatedly turned to the GSA for technical assistance with complex repairs, the agency said.