Circuit Court of Appeals Reorganization Act of 2026

This bill aims to significantly restructure the geographic boundaries and composition of the Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Judicial Circuits of the United States. Citing the disproportionate population and landmass of the current Ninth Circuit, the legislation seeks to modernize Western circuits to better reflect population growth and regional nuances. The bill redefines the states included in these circuits: the new Ninth Circuit would comprise California, Guam, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, and Washington; the new Tenth Circuit would include Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Utah; and the new Eighth Circuit would encompass Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. These changes also adjust the number of authorized circuit judges and modify designated places for court sessions, such as adding Rapid City for the Eighth Circuit and Phoenix for the Tenth Circuit. A crucial provision addresses the application of judicial precedent for states moving between circuits, stipulating that transferred states will adopt the precedents of their newly assigned circuit. The bill also establishes procedures for handling cases pending at the time of enactment, ensuring a smooth transition for ongoing legal proceedings. Finally, it mandates a General Services Administration report on new courthouse facilities in Rapid City, South Dakota, and authorizes appropriations for the Act's implementation.