SMALL CLAIMS COURT:  REVISE

NUMBER OF CLAIMS FILED PER WEEK

House Bill 5221

Sponsor:  Rep. Dave Hildenbrand

Committee:  Judiciary

Complete to 6-27-06

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5221 AS INTRODUCED 9-27-05

Currently, a person may only file one claim in the small claims division of district court per week.  The bill would amend the Revised Judicature Act to allow up to 20 claims to be filed in a week if the claims are filed on behalf of a county, city, village, township, or local or intermediate school district.

MCL 600.8407

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the judiciary and local units of government.  There are no data to indicate how many small claims filings are made by the local units of government identified in the bill.  Any fiscal impact on district courts and their funding units would depend on how the bill affected district court workloads.  Local units of government utilizing small claims court could experience improved efficiencies. 

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Marilyn Peterson

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.