`[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9625 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 9625

  To authorize additional district judges for the district courts and 
                     convert temporary judgeships.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 17, 2024

 Mr. Issa (for himself, Mr. Nehls, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, 
 Ms. Lee of Florida, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Van Drew, Mr. Valadao, Ms. Maloy, 
 Mrs. Hinson, Mrs. Kim of California, Mr. LaLota, Mr. Owens, Mr. Green 
 of Texas, Ms. Castor of Florida, Mr. Bentz, Mrs. Bice, Mr. Obernolte, 
Ms. De La Cruz, Mr. Ciscomani, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Hunt, and Mr. Weber of 
    Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                       Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To authorize additional district judges for the district courts and 
                     convert temporary judgeships.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Judicial Understaffing Delays 
Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2024'' or the ``JUDGES Act of 2024''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Article III of the Constitution of the United States 
        gives Congress the power to establish judgeships in the 
        district courts of the United States.
            (2) Congress has not created a new district court judgeship 
        since 2003 and has not enacted comprehensive judgeship 
        legislation since 1990.
            (3) This represents the longest period of time since 
        district courts of the United States were established in 1789 
        that Congress has not authorized any new permanent district 
        court judgeships.
            (4) By the end of fiscal year 2022, filings in the district 
        courts of the United States had increased by 30 percent since 
        the last comprehensive judgeship legislation.
            (5) As of March 31, 2023, there were 686,797 pending cases 
        in the district courts of the United States, with an average of 
        491 weighted case filings per judgeship over a 12-month period.
            (6) To deal with increased filings in the district courts 
        of the United States, the Judicial Conference of the United 
        States requested the creation of 66 new district court 
        judgeships in its 2023 report.

SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL DISTRICT JUDGES FOR THE DISTRICT COURTS.

    (a) Additional Judgeships.--
            (1) 2025.--
                    (A) In general.--The President shall appoint, by 
                and with the advice and consent of the Senate--
                            (i) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        central district of California;
                            (ii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        eastern district of California;
                            (iii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        northern district of California;
                            (iv) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        district of Delaware;
                            (v) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        middle district of Florida;
                            (vi) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        southern district of Indiana;
                            (vii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        northern district of Iowa;
                            (viii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        district of New Jersey;
                            (ix) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        southern district of New York;
                            (x) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        eastern district of Texas; and
                            (xi) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        southern district of Texas.
                    (B) Tables.--The table contained in section 133(a) 
                of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
                            (i) by striking the items relating to 
                        California and inserting the following:


  ``California:
  Northern.............................  15
  Eastern..............................  7
  Central..............................  28
  Southern.............................  13'';
 

                            (ii) by striking the item relating to 
                        Delaware and inserting the following:


  ``Delaware...........................  5'';
 

                            (iii) by striking the items relating to 
                        Florida and inserting the following:


  ``Florida:
  Northern.............................  4
  Middle...............................  16
  Southern.............................  17'';
 

                            (iv) by striking the items relating to 
                        Indiana and inserting the following:


  ``Indiana:
  Northern.............................  5
  Southern.............................  6'';
 

                            (v) by striking the items relating to Iowa 
                        and inserting the following:


  ``Iowa:
  Northern.............................  3
  Southern.............................  3'';
 

                            (vi) by striking the item relating to New 
                        Jersey and inserting the following:


  ``New Jersey.........................  18'';
 

                            (vii) by striking the items relating to New 
                        York and inserting the following:


  ``New York:
  Northern.............................  5
  Southern.............................  29
  Eastern..............................  15
  Western..............................  4''; and
 

                            (viii) by striking the items relating to 
                        Texas and inserting the following:


  ``Texas:
  Northern.............................  12
  Southern.............................  20
  Eastern..............................  8
  Western..............................  13''.
 

                    (C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take 
                effect on January 21, 2025.
            (2) 2027.--
                    (A) In general.--The President shall appoint, by 
                and with the advice and consent of the Senate--
                            (i) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        district of Arizona;
                            (ii) 2 additional district judges for the 
                        central district of California;
                            (iii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        eastern district of California;
                            (iv) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        northern district of California;
                            (v) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        middle district of Florida;
                            (vi) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        southern district of Florida;
                            (vii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        northern district of Georgia;
                            (viii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        district of Idaho;
                            (ix) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        northern district of Texas; and
                            (x) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        southern district of Texas.
                    (B) Tables.--The table contained in section 133(a) 
                of title 28, United States Code, as amended by 
                paragraph (1) of this subsection, is amended--
                            (i) by striking the item relating to 
                        Arizona and inserting the following:


  ``Arizona............................  13'';
 

                            (ii) by striking the items relating to 
                        California and inserting the following:


  ``California:
  Northern.............................  16
  Eastern..............................  8
  Central..............................  30
  Southern.............................  13'';
 

                            (iii) by striking the items relating to 
                        Florida and inserting the following:


  ``Florida:
  Northern.............................  4
  Middle...............................  17
  Southern.............................  18'';
 

                            (iv) by striking the items relating to 
                        Georgia and inserting the following:


  ``Georgia:
  Northern.............................  12
  Middle...............................  4
  Southern.............................  3'';
 

                            (v) by striking the item relating to Idaho 
                        and inserting the following:


  ``Idaho..............................  3''; and
 

                            (vi) by striking the items relating to 
                        Texas and inserting the following:


  ``Texas:
  Northern.............................  13
  Southern.............................  21
  Eastern..............................  8
  Western..............................  13''.
 

                    (C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take 
                effect on January 21, 2027.
            (3) 2029.--
                    (A) In general.--The President shall appoint, by 
                and with the advice and consent of the Senate--
                            (i) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        central district of California;
                            (ii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        eastern district of California;
                            (iii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        northern district of California;
                            (iv) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        district of Colorado;
                            (v) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        district of Delaware;
                            (vi) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        district of Nebraska;
                            (vii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        eastern district of New York;
                            (viii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        eastern district of Texas;
                            (ix) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        southern district of Texas; and
                            (x) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        western district of Texas.
                    (B) Tables.--The table contained in section 133(a) 
                of title 28, United States Code, as amended by 
                paragraph (2) of this subsection, is amended--
                            (i) by striking the items relating to 
                        California and inserting the following:


  ``California:
  Northern.............................  17
  Eastern..............................  9
  Central..............................  31
  Southern.............................  13'';
 

                            (ii) by striking the item relating to 
                        Colorado and inserting the following:


  ``Colorado...........................  8'';
 

                            (iii) by striking the item relating to 
                        Delaware and inserting the following:


  ``Delaware...........................  6'';
 

                            (iv) by striking the item relating to 
                        Nebraska and inserting the following:


  ``Nebraska...........................  4'';
 

                            (v) by striking the items relating to New 
                        York and inserting the following:


  ``New York:
  Northern.............................  5
  Southern.............................  29
  Eastern..............................  16
  Western..............................  4''; and
 

                            (vi) by striking the items relating to 
                        Texas and inserting the following:


  ``Texas:
  Northern.............................  13
  Southern.............................  22
  Eastern..............................  9
  Western..............................  14''.
 

                    (C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take 
                effect on January 21, 2029.
            (4) 2031.--
                    (A) In general.--The President shall appoint, by 
                and with the advice and consent of the Senate--
                            (i) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        district of Arizona;
                            (ii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        central district of California;
                            (iii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        eastern district of California;
                            (iv) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        northern district of California;
                            (v) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        southern district of California;
                            (vi) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        middle district of Florida;
                            (vii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        southern district of Florida;
                            (viii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        district of New Jersey;
                            (ix) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        western district of New York; and
                            (x) 2 additional district judges for the 
                        western district of Texas.
                    (B) Tables.--The table contained in section 133(a) 
                of title 28, United States Code, as amended by 
                paragraph (3) of this subsection, is amended--
                            (i) by striking the item relating to 
                        Arizona and inserting the following:


  ``Arizona............................  14'';
 

                            (ii) by striking the items relating to 
                        California and inserting the following:


  ``California:
  Northern.............................  18
  Eastern..............................  10
  Central..............................  32
  Southern.............................  14'';
 

                            (iii) by striking the items relating to 
                        Florida and inserting the following:


  ``Florida:
  Northern.............................  4
  Middle...............................  18
  Southern.............................  19'';
 

                            (iv) by striking the item relating to New 
                        Jersey and inserting the following:


  ``New Jersey.........................  19'';
 

                            (v) by striking the items relating to New 
                        York and inserting the following:


  ``New York:
  Northern.............................  5
  Southern.............................  29
  Eastern..............................  16
  Western..............................  5''; and
 

                            (vi) by striking the items relating to 
                        Texas and inserting the following:


  ``Texas:
  Northern.............................  13
  Southern.............................  22
  Eastern..............................  9
  Western..............................  16''.
 

                    (C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take 
                effect on January 21, 2031.
            (5) 2033.--
                    (A) In general.--The President shall appoint, by 
                and with the advice and consent of the Senate--
                            (i) 2 additional district judges for the 
                        central district of California;
                            (ii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        northern district of California;
                            (iii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        district of Colorado;
                            (iv) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        middle district of Florida;
                            (v) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        northern district of Florida;
                            (vi) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        northern district of Georgia;
                            (vii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        southern district of New York;
                            (viii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        southern district of Texas; and
                            (ix) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        western district of Texas.
                    (B) Tables.--The table contained in section 133(a) 
                of title 28, United States Code, as amended by 
                paragraph (4) of this subsection, is amended--
                            (i) by striking the items relating to 
                        California and inserting the following:


  ``California:
  Northern.............................  19
  Eastern..............................  10
  Central..............................  34
  Southern.............................  14'';
 

                            (ii) by striking the item relating to 
                        Colorado and inserting the following:


  ``Colorado...........................  9'';
 

                            (iii) by striking the items relating to 
                        Florida and inserting the following:


  ``Florida:
  Northern.............................  5
  Middle...............................  19
  Southern.............................  19'';
 

                            (iv) by striking the items relating to 
                        Georgia and inserting the following:


  ``Georgia:
  Northern.............................  13
  Middle...............................  4
  Southern.............................  3'';
 

                            (v) by striking the items relating to New 
                        York and inserting the following:


  ``New York:
  Northern.............................  5
  Southern.............................  30
  Eastern..............................  16
  Western..............................  5''; and
 

                            (vi) by striking the items relating to 
                        Texas and inserting the following:


  ``Texas:
  Northern.............................  13
  Southern.............................  23
  Eastern..............................  9
  Western..............................  17''.
 

                    (C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take 
                effect on January 21, 2033.
            (6) 2035.--
                    (A) In general.--The President shall appoint, by 
                and with the advice and consent of the Senate--
                            (i) 2 additional district judges for the 
                        central district of California;
                            (ii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        northern district of California;
                            (iii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        southern district of California;
                            (iv) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        middle district of Florida;
                            (v) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        southern district of Florida;
                            (vi) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        district of New Jersey;
                            (vii) 1 additional district judge for the 
                        eastern district of New York;
                            (viii) 2 additional district judges for the 
                        western district of Texas.
                    (B) Tables.--The table contained in section 133(a) 
                of title 28, United States Code, as amended by 
                paragraph (5) of this subsection, is amended--
                            (i) by striking the items relating to 
                        California and inserting the following:


  ``California:
  Northern.............................  20
  Eastern..............................  10
  Central..............................  36
  Southern.............................  15'';
 

                            (ii) by striking the items relating to 
                        Florida and inserting the following:


  ``Florida:
  Northern.............................  5
  Middle...............................  20
  Southern.............................  20'';
 

                            (iii) by striking the item relating to New 
                        Jersey and inserting the following:


  ``New Jersey.........................  20'';
 

                            (iv) by striking the items relating to New 
                        York and inserting the following:


  ``New York:
  Northern.............................  5
  Southern.............................  30
  Eastern..............................  17
  Western..............................  5''; and
 

                            (v) by striking the items relating to Texas 
                        and inserting the following:


  ``Texas:
  Northern.............................  13
  Southern.............................  23
  Eastern..............................  9
  Western..............................  19''.
 

                    (C) Effective date.--This paragraph shall take 
                effect on January 21, 2035.
    (b) Temporary Judgeships.--
            (1) In general.--The President shall appoint, by and with 
        the advice and consent of the Senate--
                    (A) 2 additional district judges for the eastern 
                district of Oklahoma; and
                    (B) 1 additional district judge for the northern 
                district of Oklahoma.
            (2) Vacancies not filled.--The first vacancy in the office 
        of district judge in each of the offices of district judge 
        authorized by this subsection, occurring 5 years or more after 
        the confirmation date of the judge named to fill the temporary 
        district judgeship created in the applicable district by this 
        subsection, shall not be filled.
            (3) Effective date.--This subsection shall take effect on 
        January 21, 2025.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
        carry out this section and the amendments made by this 
        section--
                    (A) for each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026, 
                $12,965,330;
                    (B) for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028, 
                $23,152,375;
                    (C) for each of fiscal years 2029 and 2030, 
                $32,413,325;
                    (D) for each of fiscal years 2031 and 2032, 
                $42,600,370;
                    (E) for each of fiscal years 2033 and 2034, 
                $51,861,320; and
                    (F) for fiscal year 2035 and each fiscal year 
                thereafter, $61,122,270.
            (2) Inflation adjustment.--For each fiscal year described 
        in paragraph (1), the amount authorized to be appropriated for 
        such fiscal year shall be increased by the percentage by 
        which--
                    (A) the Consumer Price Index for the previous 
                fiscal year, exceeds
                    (B) the Consumer Price Index for the fiscal year 
                preceding the fiscal year described in subparagraph 
                (A).
            (3) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``Consumer 
        Price Index'' means the Consumer Price Index for All Urban 
        Consumers (all items, United States city average), published by 
        the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor.

SEC. 4. ORGANIZATION OF UTAH DISTRICT COURTS.

    Section 125(2) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``and St. George'' and inserting ``St. George, Moab, and 
Monticello''.

SEC. 5. ORGANIZATION OF TEXAS DISTRICT COURTS.

    Section 124(b)(2) of title 28, United States Code, is amended, in 
the matter preceding paragraph (3), by inserting ``and College 
Station'' before the period at the end.

SEC. 6. ORGANIZATION OF CALIFORNIA DISTRICT COURTS.

    Section 84(d) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by 
inserting ``and El Centro'' after ``at San Diego''.

SEC. 7. GAO REPORTS.

    (a) Judicial Caseloads.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the 
Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and make 
publicly available reports--
            (1) evaluating--
                    (A) the accuracy and objectiveness of case-related 
                workload measures and methodologies used by the 
                Administrative Office of the United States Courts for 
                district courts of the United States and courts of 
                appeals of the United States;
                    (B) the impact of non-case-related activities of 
                judges of the district courts of the United States and 
                courts of appeals of the United States on judicial 
                caseloads; and
                    (C) the effectiveness and efficiency of the 
                policies of the Administrative Office of the United 
                States Courts regarding senior judges; and
            (2) providing any recommendations of the Comptroller 
        General with respect to the matters described in paragraph (1).
    (b) Detention Space.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the 
Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives a report on 
an assessment of--
            (1) a determination of the needs of Federal agencies for 
        detention space;
            (2) efforts by Federal agencies to acquire detention space; 
        and
            (3) any challenges in determining and acquiring detention 
        space.

SEC. 8. PUBLIC ACCESSIBILITY OF THE ARTICLE III JUDGESHIP 
              RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE JUDICIAL CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED 
              STATES REPORT.

    (a) In General.--The Administrative Office of the United States 
Courts, in consultation with the Judicial Conference of the United 
States, shall make publicly available on their website, free of charge, 
the biennial report entitled ``Article III Judgeship Recommendations of 
the Judicial Conference of the United States''.
    (b) Contents.--The report described in subsection (a) should be 
released not less frequently than biennially and contain the summaries 
and all related appendixes supporting the judgeship recommendations of 
the Judicial Conference of the United States, including--
            (1) the process used by the Judicial Conference in 
        developing the recommendations;
            (2) any caseload and methodology changes;
            (3) judgeship surveys with recommendations; and
            (4) specific information about each court for which the 
        Judicial Conference recommends additional judgeships.
    (c) Submission to Congress.--The Administrative Office of the 
United States Courts shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of 
the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
Representatives copies of the report described in subsection (a).
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