`[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4199 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        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;
                (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).

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.`