Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judgeship and Reorganization Act of 2025

House Bill

H.R. 634

119th Congress

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judgeship and Reorganization Act of 2025

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 22, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Michael K. Simpson

Representative

Republican

ID-2

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Law

Summary

This bill divides the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit into two circuits. The new Ninth Circuit would include California, Guam, Hawaii, and Northern Mariana Islands. A new Twelfth Circuit would be created comprising Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. This addresses longstanding concerns about the Ninth Circuits size and caseload.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill divides the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit into two circuits. The new Ninth Circuit would include California, Guam, Hawaii, and Northern Mariana Islands. A new Twelfth Circuit would be created comprising Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. This addresses longstanding concerns about the Ninth Circuits size and caseload.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judgeship and Reorganization Act of 2025 This bill divides the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit into two judicial circuits: (1) the Ninth Circuit, and (2) a new Twelfth Circuit.The Ninth Circuit is composed of California, Guam, Hawaii, and Northern Mariana Islands. The new Twelfth Circuit is composed of Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Divides Ninth Circuit into two judicial circuits
New Ninth Circuit: California, Guam, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands
New Twelfth Circuit: Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington
Addresses largest federal appeals court workload
Reorganizes western states judicial geography

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

The Ninth Circuit is the largest and busiest federal appellate court, covering nine states and territories. Proponents of the split argue it would improve efficiency and reduce case backlogs. Critics note this proposal often reflects ideological disagreements with Ninth Circuit rulings. The split would create a more conservative Twelfth Circuit while California dominates the remaining Ninth.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Law

Related Subjects

Alaska

Arizona

California

Federal appellate courts

Guam

Hawaii

Idaho

Judges

Judicial procedure and administration

Montana

+5 more

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

634, 119th Congress (2025). "Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judgeship and Reorganization Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-634