Monitor Accountability Act
Introduced Apr 20, 2026 by Rep. Andy Biggs
The House passed it. The Senate has to pass it before it can reach the President.
This bill requires the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to establish conditions on the appointment of monitors to oversee state and local governmental entities. A monitor is an independent official appointed to oversee corrective reforms as part of a civil settlement agreement or consent decree, such as to remedy a pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing.
Among the conditions, this bill requires notice and an opportunity for public comment prior to the appointment of a monitor, limits an individual to one monitor appointment at a time, sets a five-year term limit for monitors, and requires a public accounting of the fees charged and services provided by the monitor. It also caps fees and explicitly authorizes the use of pro bono services.
In 2021, the Department of Justice began implementing a set of principles and specific recommendations regarding the use of monitors in civil settlement agreements and consent decrees involving state and local governmental entities, including recommendations relating to term limits, capping fees, and public accountability.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service.
- May 18, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- May 14, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- May 14, 2026On passage Passed by recorded vote: 219 - 204 (Roll no. 173). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3480)
- May 14, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 219 - 204 (Roll no. 173). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3480)
- May 14, 2026On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 213 (Roll no. 172).
- May 14, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3507-3509)
- May 14, 2026POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 8365, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Boyle (PA) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- May 14, 2026The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
- May 14, 2026Mr. Boyle (PA) moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H3486)
- May 14, 2026The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- May 14, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8365.
- May 14, 2026Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5625, H.R. 6260, H.R. 8365, H. Con. Res. 96 and H.R. 8469. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 5625, H.R. 6260, H.R. 8365, and H.Con.Res. 96 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8469 under a structured rule. The resolution makes in order one motion to recommit on each bill.
- May 14, 2026Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1275. (consideration: CR H3480-3486)
- May 12, 2026Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1275 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5625, H.R. 6260, H.R. 8365, H. Con. Res. 96 and H.R. 8469. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 5625, H.R. 6260, H.R. 8365, and H.Con.Res. 96 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8469 under a structured rule. The resolution makes in order one motion to recommit on each bill.
- May 4, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 551.
- May 4, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-635.
- Apr 22, 2026Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 13 - 11.
- Apr 22, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Apr 20, 2026Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Apr 20, 2026Introduced in House