U.S. House Passes Congressman Biggs's Monitor Accountability Act

May 14, 2026
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in a bipartisan vote, the U.S. House passed the Monitor Accountability Act, which was sponsored by U.S. Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05). The bill sets clear rules for courts’ use of federal monitors, ending the grift exemplified by the federal court monitor in Maricopa County, which has far outlived its original purpose while costing county taxpayers $350 million.

"For over a decade, a court-appointed federal monitor for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has cost $350 million in taxpayer dollars and undermined the work of brave men and women in law enforcement, compromising the safety of innocent Arizonans,” said Congressman Biggs.“This is just one story of these monitors operating without oversight across the country and creating chaos in their wake. The destructive effects of these monitors on government budgets and public safety necessitate congressional action, which is why I've introduced the Monitor Accountability Act. I'm thankful for its passage in the House, and I urge the Senate to quickly take up this legislation and send it to the President's desk."

If enacted into law, the Monitor Accountability Act would require federal district courts to follow common-sense rules when appointing monitors to oversee state or local government agencies. This legislation includes the following terms:

  • Term limits: Monitors may serve no more than five years and cannot be reappointed under the same court order, preventing long‑term control by any single individual.
     
  • No revolving door: Successive monitors cannot come from the same law firm or employer, ensuring independence.
     
  • Fee caps & transparency: Monitor compensation is capped and courts encouraged to require pro bono or reduced-cost work to control costs and ensure transparency.
     
  • Public input: Courts must announce the proposed monitor and allow public comment before appointment.
     
  • Off-ramp for states / localities: A monitorship may only be extended if the state or locality has not achieved substantial and sustained compliance, preventing open‑ended oversight.
     
  • Judicial transfer: After six years, the case must be reassigned to a different judge to avoid prolonged control by a single court.
     
  • Retroactive fix: Immediately covers monitorships older than six years, including Maricopa County, triggering required replacement of both monitor and judge.

Major law enforcement agencies announced support for the Monitor Accountability Act in the days leading up to its passage on the U.S. House floor.

The Monitor Accountability Act will now head to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

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