Introduction Of The Federal Judiciary Administrative Improvements Act Of 2009

Floor Speech

Madam Speaker, I am pleased today to introduce, together with my colleagues Mr. Conyers, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Coble, the Federal Judiciary Administrative Improvements Act of 2009. This bill comprises a collection of proposals supported by the Judicial Conference of the United States that will improve the efficiency of operations in the Federal Courts. Several of the proposals have been previously passed by the House of Representatives. Collectively, these proposals are non-partisan and noncontroversial.

Two provisions make minor but helpful adjustments to Federal Court organization. One makes a technical correction regarding the ability of senior judges to participate in the selection of magistrate judges: the other eliminates the statutory divisions in the District of North Dakota to better serve witnesses and litigants, while retaining the current places of holding court.

Other provisions in this legislation create more equity and management flexibility related to Judicial Branch employees. The legislation amends certain retirement provisions for the four district judges in territorial district courts to move them toward parity with other federal judges appointed for specific terms, such as bankruptcy and magistrate judges. The bill will also provide parity for senior officials in the Judicial Branch with other similar government officials regarding the maximum amount of annual leave that they can carry over each year. Also, the salary levels of four senior officials in the Federal Judicial Center are adjusted to again provide more parity with similar officials in the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

A few of the sections of this bill facilitate court operations related to criminal justice. One provision will allow for the separate filing of the ``statement of reasons'' that judges issue upon sentencing, so as to better protect confidential information such as the identity of government informants. Another will ensure that federal pretrial officers will be able to fully supervise and assist juveniles awaiting proceedings in federal court. A third proposal will improve the timely collection and assimilation of wiretap data needed for an annual report to Congress by extending some reporting deadlines. Lastly, an inflationary index would be established for the threshold amount that triggers the need for approval by the chief judge of reimbursements of the costs of expert witnesses and investigators hired in representing indigent defendants.

Again, the proposals in this bill address many of the needs identified by the Judicial Conference of the United States to assist the federal courts and their sister agencies. We encourage Members to support this legislation.

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