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Rhode IslandH76432026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE-- PROCEDURE IN PARTICULAR ACTION -- SMALL CLAIMS AND CONSUMER CLAIMS .

Sponsored By: Susan R. Donovan (Democratic)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Small claims limit rises to $5,000

Beginning January 1, 2027, the small-claims limit is $5,000 (up from $2,500). You can ask the court for up to $5,000 in one small-claims case. If a defendant’s counterclaim is over $5,000 and the court finds more than $5,000 is due, the court does not decide it here. The court ends the case against the plaintiff and awards the defendant costs only. The defendant can file a separate case for the rest.

$75 fees and mediation funding in small claims

Beginning January 1, 2027, small-claims plaintiffs pay $75 to file. That price includes the court processing fee and any tech surcharge. The state deposits $20 of each filing into a special fund to pay mediators. Appeals in small-claims cases also cost $75 to file. The prior separate mailing notice charge is removed.

Tighter small claims appeal and default rules

Beginning January 1, 2027, a defendant who files a compulsory counterclaim must also file a written waiver of any appeal on that counterclaim. In a case by a product buyer against a seller or maker, if the defendant is defaulted for not answering, the district court judgment is final. The defaulted defendant loses the right to appeal and cannot get a new trial in superior court.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Susan R. Donovan

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 105 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/9/2026

COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE-- SMALL CLAIMS AND CONSUMER CLAIMS In Concurrence Passage

Yes: 36 • No: 0

House vote • 4/28/2026

SMALL CLAIMS AND CONSUMER CLAIMS PASSAGE

Yes: 69 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective without Governor's signature — Chapter 324

    6/24/2026Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/16/2026Governor

  3. Senate passed in concurrence

    6/9/2026Senate

  4. Placed on Senate Calendar (06/09/2026)

    6/5/2026Senate

  5. Committee recommends passage in concurrence

    5/28/2026

  6. Scheduled for consideration (05/28/2026)

    5/26/2026

  7. Referred to Senate Judiciary

    5/1/2026Senate

  8. House read and passed

    4/28/2026House

  9. Placed on House Calendar (04/28/2026)

    4/24/2026House

  10. Committee recommends passage

    4/9/2026

  11. Scheduled for consideration (04/09/2026)

    4/3/2026

  12. Committee recommended measure be held for further study

    2/26/2026

  13. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (02/26/2026)

    2/19/2026

  14. Introduced, referred to House Judiciary

    2/11/2026House

Bill Text

  • H7643 - As Introduced

    2/11/2026

    HTMLPDF

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