The bill would divide the Ninth Circuit into two circuits. The new Ninth Circuit would cover California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. A new Twelfth Circuit would cover Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada. The bill sets the circuits at 21 and 8 circuit judges, respectively, and provides for assigning judges and transferring certain pending cases. It would take effect one year after enactment.
People with cases in the former Ninth Circuit could have their cases transferred to the circuit that would handle them under the new boundaries. Cases already submitted for decision would generally continue under the existing process. The bill also allows up to two years for the former court to take administrative steps during the transition.
The bill authorizes appropriations as needed to carry it out, including for space and facilities for judicial positions. It does not specify an amount.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.