[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 135 (Wednesday, September 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE ``FEDERAL JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATIVE IMPROVEMENTS ACT 
                               OF 2009''

                                 ______
                                 

                  HON. HENRY C. ``HANK'' JOHNSON, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 23, 2009

  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. 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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