WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 8365 · 119th Congress

Monitor Accountability Act

Passed HouseLaw
IntroducedApr 20, 2026
Passed HouseMay 14, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, May 18, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The House passed it 219–204. It would change 0 sections of existing law and would add 1 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 8365 doesn't change any existing section of law. It would create 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (May 18, 2026).

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Conditions on the appointment of monitors by courts
What the words would change: every change, in place (0)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

    From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

    What it does

    Sourced

    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.

    Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House, May 4, 2026).

    Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

    What has happened

    Sourced
    1. May 14, 2026Passed/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) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
    2. May 4, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-635.Library of Congress
    3. Apr 20, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

    Show all 22 recorded actions

    Recorded votes

    Sourced
    1. May 14, 2026 · HousePassed 219–204
      On Passage · needed a majority
      R 213 yes, 0 noI 1 yes, 0 noD 5 yes, 204 noEach member · Record
    1 other recorded vote (procedure and amendments)
    1. May 14, 2026 · HouseFailed 210–213
      On Motion to Recommit · needed a majority
      R 0 yes, 213 noD 210 yes, 0 noEach member · Record

    Cosponsors

    • Russell Fry R-SC-7
    • Troy E. Nehls R-TX-22