H.R. 8365 Passed the House Law

Monitor Accountability Act

To provide for conditions on the appointment of monitors by courts, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5] Introduced April 20, 2026 Cosponsors 2 (2 R) Latest action May 18, 2026

Summary

Monitor Accountability Act
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, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Roll-call votes

Actions

  1. May 18, 2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  2. May 14, 2026 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. May 14, 2026 On passage Passed by recorded vote: 219 - 204 (Roll no. 173). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3480)
  4. May 14, 2026 Passed/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)
  5. May 14, 2026 On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 213 (Roll no. 172).
  6. May 14, 2026 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3507-3509)
  7. May 14, 2026 POSTPONED 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.
  8. May 14, 2026 The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
  9. May 14, 2026 Mr. Boyle (PA) moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H3486)
  10. May 14, 2026 The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  11. May 14, 2026 DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8365.
  12. May 14, 2026 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.

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