Assembly Bill 779 proposes to increase the jurisdictional limits for small claims actions in Wisconsin. Currently, civil actions claiming $10,000 or less must be tried in small claims court. The bill raises this limit to $15,000 starting January 1, 2027, $20,000 on January 1, 2028, and $25,000 on January 1, 2029. Additionally, it increases the jurisdictional limit for third-party complaints, personal injury claims, and tort actions from $5,000 to $15,000 in 2027, $20,000 in 2028, and $25,000 in 2029. The bill also modifies the threshold for certain consumer transactions and leases, raising the limit from $25,000 to $32,500 in 2027, $40,000 in 2028, and $50,000 in 2029.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a provision that mandates adjustments to these jurisdictional amounts every five years based on changes in the U.S. consumer price index, starting five years after the last increase. Specific amendments include changing the language in sections 421.202 (6) and 799.01 (1) (c), (cr), and (d) to reflect these new limits. The bill is set to take effect in phases, with the initial changes starting on January 1, 2027, and subsequent adjustments occurring in the following years.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 421.202(6), 421.202, 799.01(1)(c), 799.01, 799.01(1)(cr), 799.01(1)(d)(intro.)