WASHINGTON, D.C. – Idaho U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch have reintroduced the Judicial Reorganization Act, a bill aimed at dividing the current Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to create a new Twelfth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Crapo said the existing Ninth Circuit is overburdened, handling more than 11,000 cases annually from nine Western states and two U.S. territories. He argued that the court’s backlog and inefficiency delay the administration of justice.

“The time is now to divide the court to reflect the West’s massive population growth and provide greater access to justice for all,” Crapo said.

Risch echoed those concerns, saying the Ninth Circuit reflects California’s values due to its dominance in judicial representation and caseloads. “The Judicial Reorganization Act would split and modernize the Ninth Circuit, allowing for more manageable caseloads and justice that aligns with the values of Idaho,” he said.

The Ninth Circuit currently spans 40 percent of the U.S. landmass and serves roughly 20 percent of the population. It handles one-fifth of all pending federal appeals and 56 percent of the nation’s immigration cases. With 29 appellate judges, the court has more than twice the average number of judgeships of the 13 federal appellate circuits.

The bill proposes creating two separate circuits:

• A redefined Ninth Circuit covering California, Guam, and Hawai‘i

• A new Twelfth Circuit with jurisdiction over Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington

The legislation would increase the total number of appellate judges to 31, with 18 in the Ninth Circuit and 13 in the proposed Twelfth Circuit. It also authorizes funding for new court facilities and administrative changes needed for the transition.

Supporters argue the split would address longstanding inefficiencies and better serve the region’s growing population.