HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 2522

Title:  An act relating to district court jurisdiction.

Brief Description:  Modifying court jurisdiction.

Sponsors:  Representatives Lantz, McDonald, Constantine, Lambert, Dickerson, Barlean, Hurst and Carrell.

                    Brief Summary of Bill

CThe $35,000 jurisdictional limit in district court is raised to $50,000.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Staff:  Bill Perry (786-7123).

Background:

Jurisdiction of the district courts is controlled by constitutional and statutory provisions.  The constitution gives the superior courts exclusive jurisdiction over some matters, such as actions affecting the title of real property and felony crimes, but generally allows the Legislature to set the jurisdiction of the district courts.

Superior and district courts have concurrent jurisdiction over many kinds of civil cases.  For  these kinds of cases parties may choose which court to use.

Current law enumerates several classes of cases that may to be heard in district court. However, all of these are limited to actions in which the amount in controversy does not exceed $35,000.

This jurisdictional limit has been set over the past 40 years by the Legislature as follows:

  1961 - $500

  1965 - $1,000

  1979 - $3,000

  1981 - $7,500

  1984 - $10,000

  1991 - $25,000

  1997 - $35,000

Summary of Bill:

The dollar limit on the jurisdiction of district courts is raised from $35,000 to $50,000.

Fiscal Note:  Requested January 19, 2000.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

                 Office of Program Research