SB 32-FN (2008): increasing the maximum amount of debt or damages for small claims actions.

Cite this page

Granite Record indexes the General Court’s record; it is not that record. Where a citation allows only one source, cite the General Court — every page here links to what it is drawn from. The date below is the day the page was read.

MLA
“SB 32-FN (2008): increasing the maximum amount of debt or damages for small claims actions.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2008/sb32. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
APA
Granite Record. (n.d.). SB 32-FN (2008): increasing the maximum amount of debt or damages for small claims actions. Retrieved 24 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/bill/2008/sb32
Chicago
Granite Record. “SB 32-FN (2008): increasing the maximum amount of debt or damages for small claims actions.” Accessed 24 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/bill/2008/sb32.
BibTeX
@misc{bill-2008-sb32, title = {SB 32-FN (2008): increasing the maximum amount of debt or damages for small claims actions.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2008/sb32}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }

SB 32-FN (2008)

increasing the maximum amount of debt or damages for small claims actions.

  • Status: Died when the conference report was rejected
  • Term: 2007-2008
  • House committee: Judiciary
  • Senate committee: Judiciary
  • Subject: Miscellaneous

The Story

It was introduced on January 4, 2007 and referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 30, 2007. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it. On February 8, 2007 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it. On March 15, 2007 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 28, 2007 and was referred to the House Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 17, 2007. The committee held a work session on May 1, 2007. The committee met in executive session on May 23, 2007 to vote on its recommendation. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee held work sessions on August 9, 2007 and October 9, 2007. The committee met in executive session on November 14, 2007 and November 15, 2007. The minority of the committee recommended that the House kill it. On January 23, 2008 the House adopted “Special Ordered to Beginning of Regular Calendar on 1/30 (Rep D.Cote)” on a voice vote. A floor amendment (2501h) was adopted on a voice vote on January 30, 2008, changing the text of the bill. On January 30, 2008 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 262–81. On May 21, 2008 the Senate voted to reject the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Foster. A committee of conference met on May 29, 2008 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill.

Sponsors

Hearings and Sessions

  • January 30, 2007, 2:45 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 103
  • April 17, 2007, 10:00 AM: public hearing, House Judiciary, LOB 208
  • May 1, 2007, 11:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Judiciary, LOB 208
  • May 23, 2007, 11:00 AM: executive session, House Judiciary, LOB 208
  • August 9, 2007, 1:00 PM: subcommittee work session, House Judiciary, LOB 208
  • October 9, 2007, 11:00 AM: subcommittee work session, House Judiciary, LOB 208
  • November 14, 2007, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Judiciary, LOB 208
  • November 15, 2007, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Judiciary, LOB 208
  • May 29, 2008, 11:15 AM: committee of conference, SH 103

Votes

  • February 8, 2007, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
  • March 15, 2007, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
  • January 23, 2008, House: Special Ordered to Beginning of Regular Calendar on 1/30 (Rep D.Cote) — voice vote, passed
  • January 30, 2008, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2501h (New Title) — yeas 262, nays 81, passed
  • May 21, 2008, Senate: Nonconcur with House Am{2501}(NT); Requests C of C — voice vote, passed

The Docket

  • January 4, 2007: Introduced and Referred to Judiciary
  • January 30, 2007: Hearing; January 30, 2007, Room 103, State House, 2:45 p.m.; SC5
  • January 31, 2007: Committee Report; Ought to Pass [02/08/07]; SC6
  • February 8, 2007: Ought to Pass, MA, VV; Refer to Finance [Rule 26]
  • March 7, 2007: Committee Report; Ought to Pass [03/15/07]; SC11
  • March 15, 2007: Ought to Pass, MA, VV; OT3rdg
  • March 15, 2007: Passed by Third Reading Resolution
  • March 28, 2007: Introduced and ref to Judiciary
  • April 17, 2007: Public Hearing: 4/17/2007 10:00 AM LOB 208
  • May 1, 2007: Subcommittee Work Session: 5/1/2007 11:00 AM LOB 208
  • May 23, 2007: Executive Session: 5/23/07 11:00 AM LOB 208
  • May 23, 2007: Retained in Committee
  • August 9, 2007: Retained Bill-Subcommittee Work Session: 8/9/07 1:00 PM LOB 208
  • October 9, 2007: Retained Bill - Subcommittee Work Session: 10/9/07 11:00 AM LOB 208
  • November 14, 2007: Retained Bill - Executive Session: 11/14/07 10:00 AM LOB 208
  • November 15, 2007: Retained Bill - Continued Executive Session: 11/15/07 10:00 AM LOB 208
  • November 19, 2007: Majority Committee Rpt: Ought to Pass with AM #2501h(New Title) for Jan 16 (vote14-6;RC); HC2 PG151
  • November 19, 2007: Proposed Majority Committee Amendment: #2501h(New Title)
  • November 19, 2007: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  • January 16, 2008: Special Ordered to Regular Calendar for 1/23: Without Objection
  • January 23, 2008: Special Ordered to Beginning of Regular Calendar on 1/30 (Rep D.Cote): MA VV
  • January 30, 2008: Amendment #2501h (New Title) Adopted, VV
  • January 30, 2008: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2501h (New Title): MA DIV 262-81
  • May 21, 2008: Sen. Foster Moved Nonconcur with House Am{2501}(NT); Requests C of C, MA, VV
  • May 21, 2008: President Appoints: Senators Clegg, Reynolds and Foster
  • May 21, 2008: Rep Marsh Moved House Accede to Senate Request for Committee of Conference, Adopted
  • May 21, 2008: Speaker Appoints: Reps Lasky, Baxley, Rowe, and P.Preston
  • May 29, 2008: Committee of Conference Meeting; May 29, 2008, Room 103, State House, 11:15 a.m
  • May 30, 2008: Conference Committee Report #2084, As Passed by the Senate: Filed
  • June 4, 2008: Conference Committee Report #2084 Failed, VV

Laws It Would Change

Related Bills

  • HB 281-FN (2009): increasing the maximum amount of debt or damages for small claims actions and requiring mediation for small claims actions exceeding $5,000 and establishing a fee for the cost of such mediation.

From the General Court