Senate Bill 787 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, and this bill raises that limit to $15,000 starting January 1, 2027, with further increases to $20,000 in 2028 and $25,000 in 2029. Additionally, the jurisdictional limit for third-party complaints, personal injury claims, and tort actions will also rise from $5,000 to $15,000, then to $20,000, and finally to $25,000 over the same timeline. The bill also modifies the threshold for certain consumer transactions and leases, increasing 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, ensuring that the limits remain relevant over time. Specific amendments include the deletion of the previous limits and their replacement with the new amounts, as well as the creation of a new section that outlines the adjustment process. The effective dates for these changes are staggered, with the initial increases taking effect on January 1, 2027, and subsequent adjustments following 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.)