US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB565

Introduced
1/20/25  

Caption

District of Columbia Federal Judicial Officials Residency Equality Act of 2025This bill requires U.S. district and circuit court judges, U.S. district court clerks, U.S. attorneys, and U.S. marshals who are appointed to serve in the District of Columbia to be residents of the District of Columbia.

Impact

If enacted, HB 565 would alter the residency stipulations for circuit judges, district judges, and United States attorneys specifically by removing the unique provisions that exempt these officials from general residency requirements applied in other states. The intended effect is to ensure that all federal judicial officials, including those in the District of Columbia, must reside in the jurisdictions where they serve, hence fostering a uniform standard across various judicial appointments.

Summary

House Bill 565, referred to as the District of Columbia Federal Judicial Officials Residency Equality Act of 2025, seeks to amend title 28 of the United States Code to adjust the residency requirements for certain judicial officials serving in the District of Columbia. The bill aims to eliminate specific residency exceptions, thereby aligning the requirements for these officials with those that apply in other jurisdictions. This change is intended to enhance parity in conditions for federal judicial appointments and promote broader equality in the residency expectations for federal officials.

Contention

The bill highlights a broader issue of residency requirements for judicial officials and has sparked discussions around the appropriate balance of local versus federal control over judicial appointments. Some advocates argue that the modifications will promote accountability and community engagement, as officials would be more integrated with the population they serve. Conversely, opponents may express concern that changing these residency requirements could result in challenges in attracting qualified candidates to serve in the District, given the unique dynamics of the federal judicial system in the nation’s capital.

Congress_id

119-HR-565

Policy_area

Law

Introduced_date

2025-01-20

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB4574

District of Columbia Courts Home Rule Act

US SB402

Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act

US HB3047

To require the Director of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia and the Director of the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia to reside in the District of Columbia.

US HB1022

Words Matter for the District of Columbia Courts Act

US HB5971

Service Academies District of Columbia Equality Act

US HB4956

Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Residency Act

US HB5179

District of Columbia Attorney General Appointment Reform Act of 2025

US SB3154

Service Academies District of Columbia Equality Act of 2025

US SB2854

District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act

US HB7196

To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to prohibit the Council of the District of Columbia from enacting any law to permit euthanasia and assisted suicide in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes.

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