Bill > HR1702

This bill addresses the shortage of federal district court judges by authorizing the creation of new judgeships across multiple states over a decade, starting in 2025 and continuing through 2035. Specifically, the bill adds new district court judgeships in various states including California, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, and others, with a phased approach that gradually increases the number of judges in each district. The legislation is motivated by the fact that Congress has not created a new district court judgeship since 2003, despite a 30% increase in court filings by the end of fiscal year 2022 and nearly 687,000 pending cases as of March 2023. The bill also includes provisions for converting a temporary judgeship in the eastern district of Oklahoma and requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct studies on judicial caseloads and detention space needs. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Administrative Office of the United States Courts publicly release biennial reports on judicial recommendations, ensuring greater transparency in the process of managing federal court staffing. The bill includes authorization for appropriations to support these new judgeships, with funding levels that increase over time and are subject to inflation adjustments.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1702/all-info