VA HB443

Increases the maximum number of judges on the Virginia Court of Appeals from 17 to 21, with the changes to the Court of Appeals effective September 1, 2026.

Adds new district court judges in three judicial districts: one general district court judge each in the Twelfth and Twenty-sixth districts, and one juvenile and domestic relations judge each in the Twelfth and Fifteenth districts.

Increases circuit court judges by one each in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit (from 5 to 6) and Twenty-seventh Judicial Circuit (from 6 to 7), effective July 1, 2027.

Modifies en banc hearing procedures for the Court of Appeals, requiring 13 judges to sit en banc using a randomized rotational selection system for 10 of the judges, with the original 3-judge panel included.

Directs the Judicial Council of Virginia to study the organization and boundaries of the Fifteenth and Twentieth Judicial Circuits, examining caseloads, geography, and whether boundary adjustments would better serve citizens, with a report due by November 30, 2026.