Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) is pushing for the House of Representatives to pass his Monitor Accountability Act.
The bill, which Rep. Biggs introduced in late April, reins in court-appointed federal monitors for law enforcement. Provisions include imposing term limits of no more than 5 years on federal monitors and prohibiting reappointment under the same court order.
Additionally, the new monitor must be announced and made available for public comment, cannot come from the same law firm or employer, and must have their compensation capped.
Moreover, a monitorship can be extended only if the state or locality has not achieved full compliance, and after six years, the case must be reassigned to a different judge.
In a post to X, Rep. Biggs wrote, "In honor of Police Week, I urge my House colleagues to vote YES on my Monitor Accountability Act THIS WEEK."
"The brave men and women in our law enforcement agencies should be able to do their jobs without constrictive hindrance from a federal monitor," the Arizona congressman continued, adding, "Let's get this legislation passed."
The post contains footage from a recent Congressional hearing, wherein Biggs describes the bureaucratic toll of the federal monitor that has been placed on the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) since 2013, even as the MCSO has maintained compliance and introduced reforms.
Biggs says that the monitor's presence has cost Arizona taxpayers an additional $350 million since the monitor had been appointed. In the most egregious case, "despite remote work and meetings, in 2021, the County was responsible for funding a 32,000 square foot office suite for the monitor costing more than $97,000 for a year. That is in spite of remote working."
"This persistent federal judicial intervention has created operational challenges for MCSO," Biggs continued, pointing out that deputy and staff recruitment and retainment have suffered, leaving the the Sheriff's Office unable to serve the community it is designed to protect.
