Bill > H7643

This bill, effective January 1, 2027, simplifies the process for appealing decisions made in small claims and consumer matters by the district court. It increases the initial filing fee for plaintiffs from $55 to $75, which now includes a civil case processing fee and a technology surcharge, and designates $20 of this fee for a mediation account. Importantly, it introduces a requirement for defendants to waive their right to appeal when filing a compulsory counterclaim, which is a claim a defendant has against the plaintiff that arises from the same situation as the plaintiff's original claim. The bill also raises the maximum amount for a compulsory counterclaim that the district court can adjudicate from $2,500 to $5,000, aligning it with the jurisdictional limits of small claims and consumer claims. Furthermore, it clarifies that defendants appealing a district court decision will also pay a $75 filing fee, and if a plaintiff is appealing a counterclaim, they will also pay this fee, both of which include the civil case processing fee and technology surcharge.

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