2011 Senate Bill 269 / 2012 Public Act 142

Raise small claims cap

Introduced in the Senate

March 16, 2011

Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker (R-20)

To increase the maximum amount that may be recovered in small claims court from $3,000 to $10,000.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Sept. 15, 2011

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Oct. 11, 2011

Substitute offered

To adopt version of the bill that raises the cap to $8,000.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Oct. 19, 2011

Amendment offered by Sen. Steve Bieda (D-9)

To only allow the higher dollar amount limit for lawsuits against banks and other financial institutions.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Glenn Anderson (D-6)

To change the proposed dollar amount cap to $5,000.

The amendment failed 12 to 26 (details)

Passed in the Senate 31 to 7 (details)

To increase the maximum amount that may be recovered in small claims court from $3,000 to $8,000.

Received in the House

Oct. 19, 2011

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

April 19, 2012

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

April 26, 2012

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that only increases the cap to $7,000, and does so gradually over a 12 year period.

The substitute passed by voice vote

May 1, 2012

Passed in the House 107 to 2 (details)

To gradually increase the maximum amount that may be recovered in small claims court from $3,000 to $7,000, with the increase coming in several steps from 2012 through 2024. In small claims court actions a lawyer is neither required or allowed, which makes them more accessible to regular people; as introduced the bill would have increased the cap to $10,000 immediately.

Received in the Senate

May 2, 2012

May 8, 2012

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill, which only increases the cap to $7,000, and does so gradually over a 12 year period.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

May 22, 2012