01 — The Text
What.
- Requires courts to give public notice and allow comment before appointing monitors to oversee police departments and local agencies under settlement agreements.
- Limits monitors to one assignment at a time, caps their five-year terms, and requires public disclosure of their fees and work performed.
- Authorizes use of unpaid pro bono services and sets fee caps to reduce costs of court-ordered oversight.
02 — The Stakes
So what?
- Affects cities and states defending against civil rights lawsuits: could reduce monitor costs but adds procedural requirements to settlements.
- Benefits taxpayers by capping fees and requiring transparency on what monitors actually do and charge.
- Tradeoff: more public oversight of monitors versus potentially slower settlement implementation due to notice-and-comment delays.
03 — The Path
Now what?
- Passed House 219-204 on May 14, 2026 (narrow partisan divide). Now in Senate Judiciary Committee.
- Senate must vote to pass identical bill or negotiate differences before reaching President's desk.
- Contact your senator to voice support or opposition before committee votes.
Legislative History
Actions.
- May 18, 2026 — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- May 14, 2026 — Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- May 14, 2026 — On passage Passed by recorded vote: 219 - 204 (Roll no. 173). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3480)
- May 14, 2026 — Passed/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)
- May 14, 2026 — On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 210 - 213 (Roll no. 172).
- May 14, 2026 — Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3507-3509)
- May 14, 2026 — 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.
- May 14, 2026 — The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.