Monitor Accountability Act

The Monitor Accountability Act of 2026 directs the Administrator of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to establish new rules for federal courts appointing monitors to oversee State or local governments. The bill limits monitor fees, caps their service to one monitorship for a maximum of five years, and prevents reappointments under the same court order. It also requires courts to allow public comment before appointing a monitor and mandates annual public accountings of services and fees. Additionally, cases with monitorships lasting six years or more must be transferred to a different judge. These provisions, including the appointment of new monitors and case transfers, apply retroactively to existing monitorships that have been in effect for six years.