H.R. 9290: Supreme Court Justice Circuit Riding Act (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill would require Supreme Court justices to periodically “ride circuit” again, meaning they would serve on federal appeals court panels in the circuit courts around the country, rather than only working from Washington, D.C.

What it changes

It adds a new rule to federal law saying the Chief Justice and the other Supreme Court justices must be assigned to one or more federal circuits from time to time by order of the Supreme Court.
These assignments would be made during court recesses, especially between July 1 and October 1, or any other time the Supreme Court is not in session.
A justice could be assigned to more than one circuit, and more than one justice could be assigned to the same circuit.

What a justice would have to do

When assigned to a circuit, the justice would have to sit on at least one court of appeals panel.
The justice would have to participate in at least 10 days of oral arguments each year.
Whenever practical, the justice should not sit with the same judge for more than 10 days of oral arguments over a two-year period.
The service would have to happen in person; video or teleconference participation would not be allowed.
No more than one Supreme Court justice could sit on a panel at the same time to satisfy this requirement.

Limits on later participation

If a justice has participated in a case as a circuit justice, that justice would be barred from taking part later if the same matter comes before the justice again in a way covered by the new disqualification rule.
The bill also says a justice may not participate in an en banc rehearing of a matter after serving as the circuit justice on it.
A justice would still be able to vote on a panel rehearing, but only if the justice was part of the original panel.

Scheduling and expenses

The chief judge of each circuit would have to schedule cases so the justices can meet these service requirements.
The government would pay reasonable travel, lodging, and related expenses for the justices and any staff traveling with them.

Implementation

Within 180 days after enactment, the Chief Justice, working with the Judicial Conference, would have to issue regulations for how the circuit assignments will work.