What does Preamble of Supreme Court Justice Circuit Riding Act do?

This bill aims to amend title 28, United States Code. The stated purpose is to provide for the allotment of Supreme Court justices to circuits. The bill also includes provisions for other purposes, though these are not specified in this section.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Supreme Court Justice Circuit Riding Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Supreme Court Justice Circuit Riding Act.

What does FINDINGS. of Supreme Court Justice Circuit Riding Act do?

This section outlines findings related to the Supreme Court justices and the potential benefits of reinstating circuit riding. Circuit riding, where Supreme Court justices traveled to serve as judges on Federal circuit courts, was a practice for the first 121 years of the Court's history, ending in 1911. The practice exposed justices to life outside of Washington and brought them closer to the public. Currently, justices spend a significant portion of their time in Washington, D.C., issuing decisions. Historical concerns about circuit riding, such as burdensome travel and a large docket, are considered less relevant today due to modern travel and a reduced Supreme Court workload. Public confidence in the Supreme Court is currently low, and many Americans cannot name a Supreme Court justice. Restoring circuit riding is suggested as a way to restore public trust, connect justices with the people, and broaden their exposure to legal issues and the challenges faced by lower courts.

What does ALLOTMENT OF SUPREME COURT JUSTICES TO CIRCUITS. of Supreme Court Justice Circuit Riding Act do?

This section amends Section 42 of Title 28, United States Code, to establish a process for allotting Supreme Court justices to United States Courts of Appeals circuits. The Chief Justice of the United States and associate justices will be allotted among circuits by order of the Supreme Court, with the Chief Justice making allotments during recesses or vacations. Justices assigned as circuit justices must sit on at least one panel of the Court of Appeals and participate in at least 10 days of oral argument annually. Regulations are to be issued by the Chief Justice, in consultation with the Judicial Conference, within 180 days of the Act's enactment. A justice serving as a circuit justice is ineligible to vote on or participate in en banc rehearings but may vote on panel rehearings if they were on the original panel. Section 455(b) of Title 28, United States Code, is amended to disqualify justices from considering matters after they have participated as circuit justices. The chief judge of each circuit is responsible for scheduling proceedings to allow justices to fulfill these requirements.

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Supreme Court Justice Circuit Riding Act

Last updated: 6/11/2026 · Introduced: 6/11/2026

Author: Joseph Morelle (D-NY)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill mandates that Supreme Court justices be assigned to federal circuit courts, requiring them to participate in at least 10 days of oral arguments annually.
Justices temporarily serving on circuit courts will be ineligible to vote on en banc rehearings but may participate in panel rehearings.
To implement this change, the Chief Justice will issue regulations within 180 days of the Act's enactment, in consultation with the Judicial Conference.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 2 more.

4 sections

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