Better Bench Act

This Act may be cited as the “Better Bench Act”.

(a) Residency.— The second sentence of section 44(c) of title 28, United States Code, is repealed.

(b) Facilities.— Section 44 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(e)

(1) The Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall provide—

(A) each circuit judge of the Federal judicial circuit who resides within 50 miles of the District of Columbia with appropriate facilities and administrative support services in the District of Columbia; and

(B) each circuit judge of the Federal judicial circuit who does not reside within 50 miles of the District of Columbia with appropriate facilities and administrative support services—

(i) in the district and division in which that judge resides; or

(ii) if appropriate facilities are not available in the district and division in which that judge resides, in the district and division closest to the residence of that judge in which such facilities are available, as determined by the Director.

(2) Nothing in this subsection may be construed to authorize or require the construction of new facilities.”.

(a) In general.— Section 175 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking subsections (a) through (c) and inserting the following:

“(a) The Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall provide—

(1) each judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims who resides within 50 miles of the District of Columbia with appropriate facilities and administrative support services in the District of Columbia; and

(2) each judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims who does not reside within 50 miles of the District of Columbia with appropriate facilities and administrative support services—

(A) in the district and division in which that judge resides; or

(B) if appropriate facilities are not available in the district and division in which that judge resides, in the district and division closest to the residence of that judge in which such facilities are available, as determined by the Director.

(b) Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize or require the construction of new facilities.”.

(b) Technical and conforming amendment.— Chapter 7 of title 28, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in section 175, in the heading, by striking “Official duty station; residence” and inserting “Facilities”; and

(2) in the table of sections, by striking the item relating to section 175 and inserting the following: