Michael Simpson (R-ID)· Introduced January 22, 2025

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judgeship and Reorganization Act of 2025

H.R. 634 · House bill Law

A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor

Last activity January 22, 2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

In committee

Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.

The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.

Its path through Congress

Introduced
In Committee

What this bill would do

This bill, known as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judgeship and Reorganization Act of 2025'', aims to reorganize the judicial landscape by dividing the Ninth Judicial Circuit. It creates a new ninth circuit'' and a ``twelfth circuit'' to distribute judicial responsibilities. The legislation provides for the appointment of several additional federal circuit judges to these new circuits. It also establishes specific duty stations and places of circuit court for the reorganized entities. Furthermore, the act outlines rules for the assignment of existing judges and the handling of pending legal cases.

Yes· 3 of 5

Scored +2
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The bill increases the number of available federal circuit judges through new appointments and a new judicial circuit.
Scored +1
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill restructures the federal judiciary by creating a new twelfth circuit to manage judicial duties.
Scored +1
Would people in cities be better off under this?
The bill establishes new circuit court places in Phoenix and Seattle to serve those regions.

The opposite

Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes appropriations for additional court facilities and administrative reorganizations.

Who it would affect, and how

Potential Positive Impacts for People

Creation of a New Judicial Circuit: The bill divides the existing ninth circuit into a new ninth circuit'' and a twelfth circuit'', which establishes new judicial structures for various states and territories (Section 3).
Increased Judicial Appointments: The President is authorized to appoint additional judges to ensure both the former ninth circuit'' and the new ninth circuit'' have judicial representation (Section 4).
Flexibility in Judicial Assignments: The bill allows for the temporary assignment of circuit judges and district judges between the two circuits to assist with the business of the courts (Section 11 and Section 12).
Administrative Coordination: Contiguous circuits are permitted to jointly carry out administrative functions if it benefits from coordination or consolidation (Section 13).
Funding for Infrastructure: The act authorizes the appropriation of funds necessary to carry out the reorganization, including money for additional court facilities (Section 16).

Potential Negative Impacts for People

Limited Long-Term Judgeships: Under the temporary judgeships provision, the first two vacancies occurring on the new ninth circuit 10 years or more after the initial confirmation of temporary judges shall not be filled (Section 4(b)(2)).

Groups and Interests Ranking

Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.

Governance And Ideology: Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill increases the number of available federal circuit judges through new appointments and a new judicial circuit. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill restructures the federal judiciary by creating a new twelfth circuit to manage judicial duties.
Demographic And Interest Groups: Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill provides for judicial coverage across several western states including Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill establishes new circuit court places in Phoenix and Seattle to serve those regions.
Economy And Finance: Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes appropriations for additional court facilities and administrative reorganizations.
Environment Energy And Infrastructure: Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — The bill authorizes funds specifically for the development of additional court facilities.