SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 2338

BYRepresentatives Appelwick, R. Meyers, Crane and May

Raising claim limits of actions subject to mandatory arbitration.

House Committe on Judiciary

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 20, 1990

Senate Staff:Cliff Petersen (786-7457)

AS OF FEBRUARY 16, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Legislature has authorized superior courts to require that in certain kinds of civil lawsuits the parties must submit to arbitration before they may seek a court determination of their case.  Mandatory arbitration applies to all civil actions in which the sole relief sought is a money judgment of $15,000 or less.  By a two-thirds vote of the judges of a superior court, the limit for mandatory arbitration cases may be raised to $35,000.

SUMMARY:

The optional limit for mandatory arbitration is raised to $70,000 for tort cases.  The limit remains at $35,000 for other kinds of cases.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 15, 1990