S-2759 : Still Just a Bill

The "Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act" or the "JUDGES Act" (S. 2759) addresses the need for additional judges in the United States District Courts. Key provisions of the bill include:

• Additional Judgeships: Authorizes the appointment of additional district judges in 2025 and 2029 for specific districts facing high caseloads.
• Temporary Judgeships: Creates temporary judgeships for the eastern and northern districts of Oklahoma, with a provision that these positions will not be filled upon the first vacancy occurring five or more years after the confirmation date.
• Conversion of Temporary Judgeships: Converts existing temporary judgeships in several districts (eastern district of Missouri, the district of Arizona, the central district of California, the southern district of Florida, the district of New Mexico, the western district of North Carolina, and the eastern district of Texas) to permanent positions.
• Extension of Temporary Judgeships: Extends temporary federal district court judgeships for the Northern District of Alabama and the District of Kansas.
• Technical Amendments: Updates Title 28 of the United States Code to reflect the new number of judgeships in various districts.
• GAO Report: Mandates a report from the Comptroller General on vacant or underutilized federal courthouses within one year of the bill's enactment.
• Authorization of Appropriations: Authorizes the appropriation of necessary funds to implement the Act, including providing space and facilities for the new judicial positions.

In summary, the bill aims to alleviate the backlog and delays in the federal court system by increasing the number of judges and optimizing the use of court facilities.