H.R. 1856

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To authorize additional district judges for the district court for the eastern district of California.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · March 5, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Costa · Committee: Committee on the Judiciary

Table of contents

• H.R. 1856
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Findings
  • SEC. 3. Additional district judges for the eastern district of California
  • SEC. 4. Authorization of appropriations

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the or the .

SEC. 2. Findings

• Congress finds the following:
  • The Federal district court for the eastern district of California is the Federal trial court for 34 counties, including five of the fastest-growing cities in the State of California, serving a population of approximately 8,400,000.
  • The Federal district court for the eastern district of California is one of the largest judicial districts in the country, with approximately 8,400,000 residents and over 87,000 square miles of land. Yet, there are only six permanent judgeships, with one upcoming vacancy pending a nomination elevating a sitting district judge.
  • Based on the 2019 U.S. census data, the ratio of authorized district judgeships to population was 1:1,362,552. The central district of California has the next highest ratio in the State, nearly half the size, with 1:694,323.
  • As of June 2022, the total pending cases per judgeship in the Federal district court for the eastern district of California was 1,308, over 2.6 times larger than the average for all districts within the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Pending caseloads remain high, and if a new vacancy opens upon the elevation of the district judge, caseloads will once again reach this unsustainable level.

SEC. 3. Additional district judges for the eastern district of California

• (a)
  • (1) Additional judgeships
    • On or after January 21, 2027, the President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, 2 additional district judges for the eastern district of California.
  • (2) Clerical amendment
    • The table contained in section 133(a) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking the items relating to California and inserting the following:
  • (3) Effective date
    • The amendment made by paragraph (2) shall take effect on January 20, 2027.
• (b)
  • (1) Additional judgeships
    • On or after January 5, 2029, the President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, 1 additional district judge for the eastern district of California.
  • (2) Clerical amendment
    • The table contained in section 133(a) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking the items relating to California and inserting the following:
  • (3) Effective date
    • The amendment made by paragraph (2) shall take effect on January 4, 2029.
• (c)
  • (1) Additional judgeships
    • On or after January 21, 2031, the President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, 2 additional district judges for the eastern district of California.
  • (2) Clerical amendment
    • The table contained in section 133(a) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking the items relating to California and inserting the following:
  • (3) Effective date
    • The amendment made by paragraph (2) shall take effect on January 20, 2031.

SEC. 4. Authorization of appropriations

• There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act and the amendments made by this Act, including such sums as may be necessary to provide appropriate space and facilities for the judicial positions created by this Act or an amendment made by this Act.