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H.R. 8365: Monitor Accountability Act
119th Congress · introduced 2026-04-20 · Law · Latest: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
federal
Official title
Monitor Accountability Act
Plain 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.
Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.
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If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.
A “Nay” vote
If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.
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What does this mean? (plain words)
Official text
Monitor Accountability Act
Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to House)
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Officials and money
Sponsor: Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5] · 2 cosponsors
Money: No cost estimate published yet. No linked contracts or vendors yet.
Recorded votes
- House roll call 173 (2026): On Passage, H R 8365 (2026-05-14): Passed
- House roll call 172 (2026): On Motion to Recommit, H R 8365 (2026-05-14): Failed
Words on this page, explained (1)
- Bill
- A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.
Sources
- Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to House)
- Congress.gov
- Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-119hr8365.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/119/hr>
Record fed-us-cong119-hr8365 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong119 · updated 2026-11-03 by psicol fed-bills