HR8365: Monitor Accountability Act

Key facts

What the bill does

Monitor Accountability ActThis 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.

Subjects: Federal district courts, Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management, Government information and archives, Judicial procedure and administration, Legal fees and court costs

Roll-call votes on HR8365 (119th Congress)

Every recorded vote on this bill, newest first, with a link to the official tally. Member-by-member positions are on each member’s profile.

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