New bill allows federal court proceedings in Alpine Court

ALPINE, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) - Access to federal courts was just extended throughout West Texas, after the "Improving Access to Our Courts Act" was signed into law.

Authored by Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, the bill allows US court proceedings to be in Alpine, one of seven US District Courts for West Texas. The Senators said this law will streamline court proceedings and encourage more local court proceedings in the Alpine Courthouse.

“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. 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,” said Senator Cornyn.

“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. 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,” said Senator Cruz.