119-hr1929

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1929 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 1929

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

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 March 6, 2025

 Mr. Johnson of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Raskin, and Mr. Nadler) 
 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 2025'' or the ``JUDGES Act of 2025''.

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) 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 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, 2029.

    (2) 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) 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, 2031.

    (3) 2033.--
        (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 
 northern district of Oklahoma;
            (ix) 1 additional district judge for the 
 eastern district of Texas;
            (x) 1 additional district judge for the 
 southern district of Texas; and
            (xi) 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'';
            (vi) by striking the items relating to 
 Oklahoma and inserting the following:

 ``Oklahoma:
 Northern............................. 4
 Eastern.............................. 1
 Western.............................. 6
 Northern, Eastern, and Western....... 1''; and
            (vii) 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, 2033.

    (4) 2035.--
        (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, 2035.

    (5) 2037.--
        (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 
 eastern district of Oklahoma;
            (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

    (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'';
            (vi) by striking the items relating to 
 Oklahoma and inserting the following:

 ``Oklahoma:
 Northern............................. 4
 Eastern.............................. 2
 Western.............................. 6
 Northern, Eastern, and Western....... 1''; and
            (vii) 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, 2037.

    (6) 2039.--
        (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; and
            (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, 2039.

    (b) Temporary Judgeships.--

    (1) In general.--The President shall appoint, by and with 
 the advice and consent of the Senate, 1 additional district 
 judge for the eastern 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, 2029.
            (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 2029 and 2030, 
 $12,965,330;
        (B) for each of fiscal years 2031 and 2032, 
 $23,152,375;
            (C) for each of fiscal years 2033 and 2034, 
 $32,413,325;
            (D) for each of fiscal years 2035 and 2036, 
 $42,600,370;
        (E) for each of fiscal years 2037 and 2038, 
 $51,861,320; and
        (F) for fiscal year 2039 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 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. 5. 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. 6. 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. 7. 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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