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Committee reviews plan to raise magistrate court monetary jurisdiction to $30,000
Summary
Representative Montahan previewed House Bill 792, which would raise the small‑claims/ magistrate monetary jurisdiction from $15,000 to $30,000. Sponsor said the change reflects inflation and would help resolve more routine disputes in magistrate courts; committee members asked for stakeholder input before the next session.
Representative Montahan introduced House Bill 792 to the House Judiciary Committee as a proposal to increase magistrate court jurisdiction for monetary cases from $15,000 to $30,000.
"Right now, a magistrate court has a jurisdiction on monetary cases of up to $15,000," Representative Montahan said. He added the amount has not been increased in nearly 20 years and that raising the threshold will help the courts handle disputes such as minor auto damage claims that have increased with vehicle repair costs.
Committee members asked questions about the bill's history and mechanics. Chairman Deloach noted the prior increase appeared to be about 20 years ago and asked about the original author; Representative Montahan said he would work with the chairman over the summer and solicit industry input.
Montahan said preliminary inflation calculations put a fully inflation‑adjusted figure near $34,000, and the proposed $30,000 was chosen as a somewhat lower, pragmatic increase to restore court utility without exceeding likely legislative comfort.
There was no formal testimony in favor or opposition recorded at the hearing. Representative Montahan said he will take stakeholder input over the interim and return with a refined proposal.
Ending: The committee did not vote on House Bill 792; sponsor and members intend to convene stakeholder meetings before the next session.
