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IdahoS 13302026 regular legislative sessionSenate

SMALL CLAIMS DEPARTMENT OF THE MAGISTRATE DIVISION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the scope of a claim and attorney’s fees.

Sponsored By: JUDICIARY AND RULES COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

SMALL CLAIMS DEPARTMENT OF THE MAGISTRATE DIVISION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Small claims up to $15,000

Beginning July 1, 2026, you can use small claims court for money disputes up to $15,000. You can also seek return of personal property worth up to $15,000. Claims over $15,000 must use regular civil court. This change lets more people use the faster, lower-cost small claims process.

Small claims rules on damages and venue

Beginning July 1, 2026, small claims judges cannot award punitive damages or money for pain and suffering. You must file in the county where the defendant lives or where the issue happened. A defendant can ask to move the case if it was filed in the wrong county.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • JUDICIARY AND RULES COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Codi Galloway

    Republican • Senate

  • John Shirts

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 102 • No: 0

House vote • 3/25/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 67 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/19/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor on 03/27/26 Session Law Chapter 196 Effective: 07/01/2026

    4/2/2026

  2. Reported delivered to Governor at 10:30 a.m. on 03/27/26

    3/30/2026

  3. Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to Governor

    3/27/2026

  4. Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate

    3/26/2026House

  5. Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker

    3/26/2026Senate

  6. Returned From House Passed; referred to enrolling

    3/25/2026Senate

  7. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 67-0-3

    3/25/2026House

  8. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/24/2026House

  9. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading

    3/23/2026House

  10. Read First Time, Referred to Judiciary, Rules & Administration

    3/19/2026House

  11. Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading

    3/19/2026House

  12. Read third time in full as amended – PASSED - 35-0-0

    3/19/2026Senate

  13. Read second time as amended, filed for Third reading

    3/17/2026Senate

  14. Read first time as amended, filed for Second Reading

    3/16/2026Senate

  15. Reported engrossed, filed for first reading, as amended

    3/16/2026Senate

  16. Amendments reported printed

    3/16/2026Senate

  17. Amendments ordered printed; referred for engrossment

    3/13/2026Senate

  18. Reported out without recommendation, as amended

    3/13/2026Senate

  19. Placed in the Committee of the Whole

    3/13/2026Senate

  20. Reported out of committee; to 14th Order for amendment

    3/10/2026Senate

  21. Reported Printed; referred to Judiciary & Rules

    2/20/2026Senate

  22. Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing

    2/19/2026Senate

Bill Text

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