SMALL CLAIMS COURT CASE LIMIT H.B. 5221 (S-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS






House Bill 5221 (Substitute S-2 as reported)
Sponsor: Representative Dave Hildenbrand
House Committee: Judiciary
Senate Committee: Judiciary

CONTENT
The bill would amend the Revised Judicature Act to allow a person to file up to 20 small claims court claims, rather than up to five, in one judicial district in one week on behalf of a county, city, village, or township.


The Act specifies that, within a district court district, a person may not file more than five claims in the small claims division in one week. Under the bill, that limit would continue to apply except that a person could not file more than 20 claims in one week on behalf of a county, city, village, or township.


MCL 600.8407 Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have a minimal fiscal impact on State and local government. Though there are no data to indicate how many small claims are filed by counties, cities, and villages, it is unlikely that there would be a significant-enough increase to warrant additional resources. To the extent that the bill would allow local units to improve collections, there could be a modest increase in State and local revenue.


Date Completed: 12-6-06 Fiscal Analyst: Stephanie Yu

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. hb5221/0506