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Bill

A 8001

Increases the jurisdictional limits for small claims to fifteen thousand dollars

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Keith Brown and 2 co-sponsors

Raises small-claims cap to $15,000, widening which disputes qualify for quick, low-cost court handling for individuals, tenants, consumers, and small businesses.

REFERRED TO JUDICIARY
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Bill Summary · A 8001

Bill A 8001 — Increases the jurisdictional limits for small claims to fifteen thousand dollars

Overview

Bill A 8001 proposes to raise the monetary cap for cases that can be heard in small claims court to $15,000. The measure aims to expand the range of disputes that can be adjudicated in small claims proceedings, potentially streamlining resolution and reducing court costs for litigants.

What the bill would do

  • Increase the small claims civil case jurisdictional limit to $15,000.
  • Apply the new limit to eligible actions brought in small claims court (exact scope and definitions would be determined by the bill’s full text).
  • Does not specify an explicit effective date in the information provided; standard practice would be an enactment date or a later operative date as stated in the final bill language.

Who would be affected

  • Individuals and businesses with disputes whose claims are at or below the $15,000 threshold.
  • Tenants, landlords, consumers, and small business owners who typically pursue or defend modest monetary claims.
  • Small claims court operations and staff, which may experience changes in case volume and case management needs.

Procedural and timeline highlights

  • Introduced: April 17, 2025.
  • Status: REFERRED TO JUDICIARY.
  • Legislative actions recorded on 2025-04-17 show a referral to Judiciary (listed twice in the provided actions).
  • Next steps (not specified in the provided material): typically, referral would lead to committee consideration, potential amendments, floor votes, and, if approved, passage to the other house for consideration.

Sponsors

  • Primary sponsor: Jenifer Rajkumar
  • Cosponsors: Judy Griffin, Keith Brown

Related legislation

  • A 10300 (prior-session)
  • A 5527 (prior-session)

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Access to justice: a higher limit could allow more claimants to pursue disputes in small claims court, potentially reducing complexity and cost for modest claims.
  • Court workload: may shift additional cases into small claims court, affecting scheduling, resources, and training for judges and clerks.
  • Business and consumer effects: could affect how banks, landlords, and small businesses enforce or defend smaller monetary claims.
  • Fiscal impact: not specified; potential costs or savings would depend on changes in case volume and how small claims processes are adjusted to accommodate larger claims.

Notes for readers

  • The full text would clarify current jurisdictional limits prior to the change, any transitional provisions, procedural rules for larger claims within small claims, and the exact effective date if different from the enactment date.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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