The Judicial Efficiency Improvement Act restructures the federal court system by splitting the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals into two separate circuits and creating a new Twelfth Circuit, increasing the total number of federal circuit courts from 13 to 14. The bill adds 15 new circuit judgeships and creates 30 new district court judgeships across multiple states (primarily California, Texas, Florida, and New York) to be filled in phases between 2025 and 2029, with an additional phased expansion adding more judgeships from 2029 to 2035, as well as three temporary judgeships in Oklahoma. The legislation affects federal courts nationwide but primarily impacts the western and populous districts, allowing judges to be temporarily reassigned between circuits as needed. Congress would need to appropriate funding starting at approximately $13 million annually (2025-2026) and escalating to $61 million annually by 2035 onward, with adjustments for inflation. The implementation of new judgeships is staggered across multiple years through 2035 to manage fiscal impact and allow for a gradual transition.
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