H.R. 1929

119 HR 1929 IH: Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2025
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2025-03-06
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 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 I  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  H. R. 1929  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.
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  .
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.
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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).