HR-9625 : Still Just a Bill

The Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2024, also known as the JUDGES Act of 2024 (H.R. 9625), aims to address the increasing caseloads in United States district courts by authorizing additional judgeships. Key provisions include:

• Authorization of New Judgeships: The bill authorizes the appointment of additional district judges in multiple districts across the United States, phased in over several years:
  • Effective January 21, 2025: Additional judges for the Central, Eastern, and Northern Districts of California; Delaware; Middle District of Florida; Southern District of Indiana; Northern District of Iowa; New Jersey; Southern District of New York; and Eastern and Southern Districts of Texas.
  • Further increases are scheduled for 2027, 2029, 2031, 2033, and 2035 in various districts, including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Texas, Colorado, Delaware, Nebraska and New York.
• Temporary Judgeships: The bill authorizes temporary judgeships for the Eastern and Northern Districts of Oklahoma. These positions will not be filled upon the first vacancy occurring five years or more after the confirmation date.
• Appropriations: The bill authorizes appropriations to support the new judgeships, starting with $12,965,330 for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, increasing incrementally to $61,122,270 for fiscal year 2035 and thereafter. These amounts are subject to inflation adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index.
• District Court Modifications:
  • Modifies the organization of Utah district courts by including Moab and Monticello in addition to St. George as places of holding court.
  • Amends the organization of Texas district courts to include College Station.
  • Amends the organization of California district courts to include El Centro.
• GAO Reports: Requires the Comptroller General of the United States to submit reports to the Judiciary Committees of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, covering:
  • Evaluation of case-related workload measures and methodologies used by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.
  • Impact of non-case-related activities on judicial caseloads.
  • Effectiveness and efficiency of policies regarding senior judges.
  • Assessment of the needs and challenges in acquiring detention space by Federal agencies.
• Public Accessibility: Mandates the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, in consultation with the Judicial Conference of the United States, to make the biennial report entitled "Article III Judgeship Recommendations of the Judicial Conference of the United States" publicly available on their website.

In summary, H.R. 9625 aims to alleviate the understaffing of district courts by authorizing new judgeships, ensuring resources are allocated, and promoting transparency in the judicial system.