Monitor Accountability Act

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 from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

House Committee on the Judiciary · U.S. House of Representatives

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Cosponsors

Recorded votes

• Vote: On Motion to Recommit

  U.S. HouseMay 14, 2026Result: Failed

  Voted yes (210)Voted no (213)Voted present (0)Absent (7)

  See member positions for the vote on May 14, 2026 (On Motion to Recommit)

• Vote: On Passage

  U.S. HouseMay 14, 2026Result: Passed

  Voted yes (219)Voted no (204)Voted present (0)Absent (7)

  See member positions for the vote on May 14, 2026 (On Passage)

Related bills

• H.Res. 1275Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5625) to direct the Attorney General to make publicly available a list of each State and unit of local government that permits cashless bail, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6260) to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit fraud in connection with posting bail; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8365) to provide for conditions on the appointment of monitors by courts, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 96) expressing support for law enforcement officers; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8469) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes.Related bill, procedurally related

As identified by Congress.gov.

Full history

1. May 18, 2026

   In committee

   Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

   U.S. House

2. May 18, 2026

   Sent to the executive

   Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

   U.S. Senate

3. May 14, 2026

   Debate - the House Proceeded With One Hour of Debate on H.R. 8365.

   DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8365.

   U.S. House of Representatives

4. May 14, 2026

   Passed a chamber

   Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

5. May 14, 2026

   Passed a chamber

   Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Read the record

• Read on Congress.gov (opens in a new tab) The official record on Congress.gov.