Bill > S2360

This bill proposes to reorganize the federal judicial system by dividing the existing Ninth Judicial Circuit (which currently covers a large portion of the western United States) into two separate circuits: a new Ninth Circuit and a newly created Twelfth Circuit. The bill increases the total number of federal judicial circuits from thirteen to fourteen, with the new Ninth Circuit covering California, Guam, and Hawaii, and the Twelfth Circuit covering Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. The legislation provides for the appointment of two additional circuit court judges, one for each new circuit, and specifies how existing judges will be assigned to the new circuits. Judges currently serving in the former Ninth Circuit will be automatically reassigned based on their current duty stations, with senior judges given the option to choose which new circuit they want to join. The bill ensures that judges' seniority and ongoing cases are handled smoothly during this transition, with existing cases to be completed in the circuit they were originally filed. The changes will take effect one year after the bill's enactment, with the original Ninth Circuit continuing to handle administrative matters for up to two years to ensure a seamless transition.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2360/all-info