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Bill · 119th Congress · HR 8365
Monitor Accountability Act
Refreshed 4 h ago
Introduced 2026-04-20Topic: criminal justice · governance ethicsSummary
Summary by the Congressional Research ServiceMonitor 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.
Sponsors
- Andy Biggs Republican sponsor
- 2 cosponsors
Recorded votes
| Date | Chamber | Question | Result | Yeas | Nays |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-14 | House roll 173 | On Passage | Passed | 219 | 204 |
| 2026-05-14 | House roll 172 | On Motion to Recommit | Failed | 210 | 213 |
Action history
| Date | Chamber | Action | Status effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-18 | Senate | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | refer |
| 2026-05-14 | House | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | |
| 2026-05-14 | House | On passage Passed by recorded vote: 219 - 204 (Roll no. 173). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3480) | |
| 2026-05-14 | 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) | floor pass | |
| 2026-05-14 | House | On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 213 (Roll no. 172). | |
| 2026-05-14 | House | Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3507-3509) | |
| 2026-05-14 | House | 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. | |
| 2026-05-14 | House | The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX. | |
| 2026-05-14 | House | Mr. Boyle (PA) moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H3486) | |
| 2026-05-14 | House | The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. | |
| 2026-05-14 | House | DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8365. | |
| 2026-05-14 | 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. | |
| 2026-05-14 | House | Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1275. (consideration: CR H3480-3486) | |
| 2026-05-12 | House | Rules 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. | |
| 2026-05-04 | House | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 551. | |
| 2026-05-04 | House | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-635. | report |
| 2026-05-04 | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-635. | report | |
| 2026-04-22 | House | Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 13 - 11. | refer |
| 2026-04-22 | House | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held | refer |
| 2026-04-20 | House | Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. | refer |
| 2026-04-20 | Introduced in House | introduce | |
| 2026-04-20 | Introduced in House | introduce |