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S. 5412

BillFederalSenateIn Committee
A bill to amend title 28, United States Code, to repeal the residency requirement for circuit judges, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · September 16, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced
September 16, 2026
Cosponsors (1)
1D 0R
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Summary

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The Better Bench Act removes the requirement that federal circuit judges must live within their assigned judicial circuit. Currently, federal law requires circuit judges to reside in the circuit where they serve, which limits where judges can live. This bill eliminates that residency restriction, allowing judges greater flexibility in choosing where to live. To accommodate judges who live outside their circuit, the bill requires the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to provide appropriate office facilities and administrative support either in the judge's home location or in the nearest available alternative. The same changes also apply to judges on the United States Court of Federal Claims. The bill does not authorize or require the construction of any new facilities.

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