S.B. 226: COMMITTEE SUMMARY - SMALL CLAIMS COURT JURISDICTION

Senate Bill 226 (as introduced 2-26-97)

Sponsor: Senator Bill Bullard, Jr.

Committee: Judiciary

Date Completed: 10-13-97

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Revised Judicature Act (RJA) to increase the jurisdictional limit for cases in small claims court.

The RJA provides that each district court has a "small claims division" (small claims court) and requires that a district court judge sit as judge of the small claims court. The jurisdiction of the small claims court is limited to cases for the recovery of money, when the amount claimed does not exceed $1,750. The bill would increase the small claims court jurisdictional ceiling to $3,000.

MCL 600.8401 - Legislative Analyst: P. Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have an indeterminate impact on the court system. The extent would depend on the number of cases that would use the small claims division. The total number of new cases filed in the small claims division of district court was 101,121 in 1996.

- Fiscal Analyst: B. Bowerman

S9798\S226SA

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.