HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2784
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 633-27, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  All district courts, except as otherwise provided, shall exercise jurisdiction conferred by this chapter, and while sitting in the exercise of that jurisdiction, shall be known and referred to as the small claims division of the district court; provided that the jurisdiction of the court when sitting as a small claims division of the district court shall be confined to:

     (1)  Cases for the recovery of money only where the amount claimed does not exceed [$3,500] $4,500 exclusive of interest and costs, except as provided by section 633‑30;

     (2)  Cases involving disagreement between landlord and tenant about the security deposit in a residential landlord-tenant relationship; and

     (3)  Cases for the return of leased or rented personal property worth [$3,500] $4,500 or less where the amount claimed owed for that lease or rental does not exceed [$3,500] $4,500 exclusive of interest and costs.

This chapter shall not abridge or affect the jurisdiction of the district courts under paragraphs (1) and (3) to determine cases under the ordinary procedures of the court, it being optional with [the plaintiff] either party in the cases to elect the procedure of the small claims division of the district court or the ordinary procedures, as provided by rule of court.  No case filed in the small claims division after December 31, 1991, shall be removed from the small claims division to be heard under the ordinary procedures of the district court unless the removal is agreed to by [the plaintiff.] either party.  In cases arising under paragraph (2) the jurisdiction of the small claims division of the district court shall be exclusive; provided that the district court, having jurisdiction over a civil action involving summary possession, shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the small claims division of the district court over any security deposit dispute between landlord and tenant in a residential landlord-tenant relationship.  This subsection shall not abrogate nor supersede sections 604-5, 633-30, and 633-31."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on December 21, 2058.

Report Title:

Small Claims Court; Monetary Limit

Description:

Increases the monetary limit of claims that may be filed in small claims court.  Effective December 21, 2058.  (HB2784 HD1)

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