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Committee raises magistrate‑court civil limit to $25,000 after judges recommend insurance benchmark

Judiciary Committee · February 18, 2026

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Summary

After testimony from state and magistrate court representatives, the committee amended a bill to raise the magistrate court jurisdictional limit to $25,000 and passed it; supporters said the change reflects inflation and preserves local access to courts.

The Judiciary Committee voted to amend and pass House Bill 792 to raise Georgia magistrate court jurisdictional limits to $25,000. The sponsor described a need to adjust the prior $15,000 threshold to reflect inflation and modern costs; he initially proposed $30,000 but invited committee input.

Bob Bray, executive director of the Council of State Court Judges, urged the committee to use the minimum automobile‑liability insurance amount ($25,000) as a rational benchmark and cautioned that $30,000 would place many disputes outside the traditional scope of 'small claims.' Bray warned the committee an overly large increase could expand appeals and strain state and superior courts that handle subsequent reviews.

After discussion, a member offered a friendly amendment to change the bill’s figure to $25,000. The sponsor accepted the amendment as friendly; the committee adopted it and passed the bill as amended. Supporters said the change will provide more efficient access to court for many citizens, especially in counties without state court.