HB147 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Joe Hubbard

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Courts, district and small claims division, jurisdictional limits increased, Secs.12-11-30, 12-12-30, 12-19-71, 12-19-72 am'd

Summary

HB147 would raise the district court’s civil jurisdiction to $25,000 and move cases above that amount to circuit court, with concurrent jurisdiction for mid-range cases.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the district court could hear civil cases worth up to $25,000 (exclusive of interest and costs). Circuit court would have exclusive power over civil cases exceeding $25,000. For civil cases worth between $3,000 and $25,000, both courts would have original jurisdiction (concurrent). The bill also updates filing fees and how those fees are allocated to various funds to reflect the new thresholds, and aligns small claims thresholds with the higher limits.

Who It Affects

• Civil litigants (plaintiffs and defendants) in Alabama, because more cases up to $25,000 would be heard in district court and higher-value cases would move to circuit court.
• Court administration, attorneys, and taxpayers, because filing fees and their distribution to different funds are updated to match the new limits.

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 12-11-30 and 12-12-30 to set district court civil jurisdiction at $25,000 and to establish circuit court exclusive jurisdiction for actions above $25,000, with concurrent jurisdiction for actions over $3,000 up to $25,000.
• Amends Sections 12-19-71 and 12-19-72 to adjust civil filing fees and their distribution among funds (Fair Trial Tax Fund, State General Fund, county funds, etc.) based on the revised jurisdiction thresholds and case types.
• Updates small claims and related fee provisions to align with the new $25,000 threshold, affecting docket fees for various small claims ranges.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after it is approved.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Civil Procedure