Bills · 119th Congress · Law

Monitor Accountability Act

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Roll calls on this bill

Votes on passage
HouseOn Passage · 5/14/26PassageThe vote on whether this chamber approves the measure — usually by a simple majority of those voting. It becomes law only once both chambers pass the same text and the president signs it, or Congress overrides a veto.House: The Legislative Process ↗
Passed
  • Democratic5 Yea · 204 Nay · 3 Not voting
  • Republican213 Yea · 0 Nay · 4 Not voting
  • Independent / Other1 Yea · 0 Nay · 0 Not voting
Official summary (CRS)

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.

Full text on congress.gov ↗
Sponsor
Rep. Andy Biggs ( Republican · AZ-5)
Cosponsors
2
Introduced
4/20/26
Policy area
Law
Status
4/20/26Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
4/20/26Introduced in House
4/22/26Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 13 - 11.
4/22/26Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
5/4/26Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 551.
5/4/26Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-635.
5/12/26Rules 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.
5/14/26Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5/14/26On passage Passed by recorded vote: 219 - 204 (Roll no. 173). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3480)
5/14/26Passed/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)
5/14/26On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 213 (Roll no. 172).
5/14/26Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3507-3509)
5/14/26POSTPONED 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.
5/14/26The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
5/14/26Mr. Boyle (PA) moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H3486)
5/14/26The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
5/14/26DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8365.
5/14/26Rule 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.
5/14/26Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1275. (consideration: CR H3480-3486)
5/18/26Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.