David Goch, Washington Legislative Counsel | January 23, 2012

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a cost estimate for S. 1821 late last week.  

The CBO estimates that implementing the legislation would decrease net spending by $1 million over the 2012-2017 period -- and would increase such spending by less than $500,000 over the 2012-2022 period. 

The cost of the four judgeships that would be filled under the bill would increase direct spending by $2 million over the 2012-2011 period and by $6 million over the 2012-2022 period. The costs would vary if more or fewer than four judges retire, die, resign or are removed during the five years following enactment of the bill.  

The bill would also increase the amount of money collected by the federal government by increasing the Chapter 11 filing fee from $1,000 to $1,042. The fee change would offset receipts by about $6 million over the 2012-2022 period. 

The S. 1821 bill was approved by voice vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee on December 15, 2011.