S. 4199 

One Hundred Eighteenth Congress 

of the 

United States of America 

AT THE SECOND SESSION 

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday, 

the third day of January, two thousand and twenty four 

An Act 

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; 
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(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’’; 
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(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’’; 
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(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; 
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(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.— 
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(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 
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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: 
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‘‘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— 
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(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. 
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(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 
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(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. 
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(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). 

Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

Vice President of the United States and

President of the Senate.