SESSION OF 2024
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON HOUSE BILL NO. 2604
As Recommended by House Committee on
Judiciary

Brief*
HB 2604 would amend the Small Claims Procedure Act
to increase the maximum dollar amount for a small claim from
$4,000 to $10,000, exclusive of interest, costs, and any
damages related to worthless checks. The bill would also
make a conforming amendment in a statute concerning
claims exceeding the threshold. [Note: The $4,000 threshold
in current law was enacted in 2004.]
The bill would also make technical amendments to
ensure consistency in statutory phrasing.

Background
The bill was introduced by the House Committee on
Judiciary at the request of Representative Gardner.

House Committee on Judiciary
In the House Committee hearing, proponent testimony
was provided by Representative Gardner and a
representative of Sigg Motors. The proponents generally
stated the bill would be more consistent with small claim
thresholds in other states, some of whom have adjusted their
small claims limits for inflation, and the $4,000 threshold has
not been updated since 2004.

____________________
*Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research
Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental
note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at
http://www.kslegislature.org
 Written-only proponent testimony was provided by
representatives of J-D’s Automotive, Kansas Chamber,
Kentucky Street Apartments, PSK Properties, Sigg Financial
Services, Sigg Tire & Repair, and one private citizen, stating
the bill’s increase would better reflect current property
valuations.
No other testimony was provided.

Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
Budget on the bill, the Office of Judicial Administration
indicates enactment of the bill would result in an
undetermined fiscal effect because the number of additional
cases cannot be estimated. Any fiscal effect associated with
the bill is not reflected in The FY 2025 Governor’ s Budget
Report.
Judiciary; civil procedure; small claims


2- 2604


Statutes affected:
As introduced: 61-2703, 61-2706, 60-2610
Enrolled: 61-2703, 61-2706, 60-2610