Small claims court: jurisdiction.

Legislative status

1. Introduced
2. In Committee
3. Reported by Committee
4. Floor Vote Scheduled
5. Passed One Chamber
6. Passed Both Chambers
7. Sent to Executive
8. Signed into Law

Summary

The bill revises which cases the state's small claims courts can hear. It affects individuals and businesses filing low‑value lawsuits by clarifying the court's authority. The change is intended to make the small claims system more predictable and efficient.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

Vote

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 5300.) · May 26, 2026

Hearings

• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · Aug 13, 2026
• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · Aug 3, 2026
• Judiciary Committee Hearing
  Judiciary · Jun 30, 2026
• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · May 14, 2026
• Appropriations
  Appropriations · Apr 15, 2026

History

1. Jun 3, 2026Referred to Com. on JUD.
2. May 27, 2026In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
3. May 26, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0.)
4. May 18, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
5. May 14, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).
6. Apr 15, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
7. Mar 19, 2026Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
8. Mar 18, 2026Read second time and amended.
9. Mar 17, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (March 17).
10. Mar 11, 2026Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
11. Mar 10, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on JUD. Read second time and amended.
12. Feb 23, 2026Referred to Com. on JUD.

The 12 most recent of 14 recorded actions.

Sponsors

• Phillip Chen (R) · sponsor
• Chen

Bill text

Opens the legislature’s own copy.

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