HB92 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul Beckman

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

District courts, jurisdictional limit increased, filing fees and docket fees revised, Secs. 12-11-30, 12-12-30, 12-19-71, 12-19-72 am'd.

Summary

HB92 increases district court civil jurisdiction to cases with up to $20,000 in controversy and updates filing fees accordingly, while keeping small claims fees the same.

What This Bill Does

Expands district court's civil jurisdiction to up to $20,000; the circuit court retains exclusive jurisdiction for matters over $20,000. For matters between $6,000 and $20,000, circuit and district courts share original jurisdiction (concurrent). The bill also revises the filing fees and how those fees are distributed to reflect the new jurisdiction, but keeps the small claims division filing fees unchanged. It becomes effective January 1, 2017.

Who It Affects

• Plaintiffs and defendants in civil cases with controversy up to $20,000, who may file or have cases heard in district court instead of circuit court
• Users of the district's small claims division, whose filing fees remain unchanged while other filing fees are adjusted

Key Provisions

• Amends Sections 12-11-30 and 12-12-30 to raise district court civil jurisdiction to $20,000 and to define concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court for ranges up to $20,000
• Amends Sections 12-19-71 and 12-19-72 to revise civil filing fees and their distribution to state, county, and other funds, reflecting the new jurisdiction while keeping small claims division fees the same
• Effective date: January 1, 2017

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

Subjects

Courts