The Monitor Accountability Act of 2026 directs the Administrator of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to establish comprehensive rules for district courts appointing monitors to oversee state or local government conduct. These conditions, to be implemented within 90 days, aim to enhance transparency and accountability in the monitoring process. Key provisions include strict limitations on monitor fees , requiring adherence to maximum rates and encouraging pro bono or reduced-rate services. Monitors will be restricted to serving only one monitorship at a time , with a maximum term of five years , and cannot be reappointed under the same court order; subsequent monitors for the same order must also be from a different employer. To ensure public oversight, the bill mandates public notice and comment before a monitor's appointment, and requires monitors to submit annual public accountings of services and fees. Furthermore, any monitorship in effect for six years will result in the case being transferred to a different judge , and existing long-term monitorships are subject to these new appointment and transfer rules.
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Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 13 - 11.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 551.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-635.
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.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1275.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1275. (consideration: CR H3480-3486)
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.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8365.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Mr. Boyle (PA) moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H3486)
Mr. Boyle (PA) moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary.
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
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.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3507-3509)
Considered as unfinished business.
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 213 (Roll no. 172).
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 13 - 11.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 551.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-635.
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.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1275.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1275. (consideration: CR H3480-3486)
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.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8365.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Mr. Boyle (PA) moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H3486)
Mr. Boyle (PA) moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary.
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
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.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3507-3509)
Considered as unfinished business.
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 213 (Roll no. 172).
Federal district courtsGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesJudicial procedure and administrationLegal fees and court costs
Monitor Accountability Act
USA119th CongressHR-8365| House
| Updated: 5/18/2026
The Monitor Accountability Act of 2026 directs the Administrator of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to establish comprehensive rules for district courts appointing monitors to oversee state or local government conduct. These conditions, to be implemented within 90 days, aim to enhance transparency and accountability in the monitoring process. Key provisions include strict limitations on monitor fees , requiring adherence to maximum rates and encouraging pro bono or reduced-rate services. Monitors will be restricted to serving only one monitorship at a time , with a maximum term of five years , and cannot be reappointed under the same court order; subsequent monitors for the same order must also be from a different employer. To ensure public oversight, the bill mandates public notice and comment before a monitor's appointment, and requires monitors to submit annual public accountings of services and fees. Furthermore, any monitorship in effect for six years will result in the case being transferred to a different judge , and existing long-term monitorships are subject to these new appointment and transfer rules.
Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better
Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 13 - 11.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 551.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-635.
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.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1275.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1275. (consideration: CR H3480-3486)
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.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8365.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Mr. Boyle (PA) moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H3486)
Mr. Boyle (PA) moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary.
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
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.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3507-3509)
Considered as unfinished business.
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 213 (Roll no. 172).
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 13 - 11.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 551.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-635.
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.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1275.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1275. (consideration: CR H3480-3486)
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.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8365.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Mr. Boyle (PA) moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H3486)
Mr. Boyle (PA) moved to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary.
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
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.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3507-3509)
Considered as unfinished business.
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 213 (Roll no. 172).
Federal district courtsGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesJudicial procedure and administrationLegal fees and court costs