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.

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“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.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2009/hb281. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
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Granite Record. “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.” Accessed 24 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/bill/2009/hb281.
BibTeX
@misc{bill-2009-hb281, title = {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.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2009/hb281}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }

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.

  • Status: Signed into law
  • Term: 2009-2010
  • House committee: Judiciary
  • Senate committee: Judiciary
  • Subject: Miscellaneous
  • Chapter law: 79

The Story

It was introduced on January 8, 2009 and referred to the House Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 21, 2009. The committee met in executive session on February 17, 2009 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it, and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 12–6. A floor amendment (0542h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 4, 2009, changing the text of the bill. On March 4, 2009 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On March 4, 2009 the bill was referred to the Ways and Means committee. The committee held work sessions on March 20, 2009 and March 23, 2009. The committee met in executive session on March 31, 2009 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 20–0, to recommend that the House pass it. On April 8, 2009 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on April 8, 2009 and was referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 30, 2009. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it. On May 13, 2009 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. The bill was enrolled on May 20, 2009 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on June 9, 2009, making it Chapter 79 of the session laws.

Sponsors

Hearings and Sessions

  • January 21, 2009, 11:30 AM: public hearing, House Judiciary, LOB 208
  • February 17, 2009, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Judiciary, LOB 208
  • March 20, 2009, 1:00 PM: full committee work session, House Ways and Means, LOB 202
  • March 23, 2009, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Ways and Means, LOB 202
  • March 31, 2009, 9:30 AM: executive session, House Ways and Means, LOB 202
  • April 30, 2009, 3:15 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 103

Votes

  • March 4, 2009, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment #0542h — voice vote, passed
  • April 8, 2009, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
  • May 13, 2009, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

  • January 8, 2009: Introduced and Referred to Judiciary
  • January 21, 2009: Public Hearing: 1/21/2009 11:30 AM LOB 208
  • February 17, 2009: Executive Session: 2/17/2009 10:00 AM LOB 208
  • February 18, 2009: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass for Mar 4 RC (vote 12-6)
  • February 18, 2009: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
  • March 4, 2009: Floor Amendment #0542h (Rep Rowe) Adopted, VV
  • March 4, 2009: Ought to Pass with Amendment #0542h: MA VV
  • March 4, 2009: Referred to Ways and Means
  • March 20, 2009: Full Committee Work Session: 3/20/2009 1:00 PM LOB 202
  • March 23, 2009: Full Committee Work Session: 3/23/2009 10:00 AM LOB 202
  • March 31, 2009: Executive Session: 3/31/2009 9:30 AM LOB 202
  • April 1, 2009: Committee Report: Ought to Pass for April 8 CC (vote 20-0)
  • April 8, 2009: Ought to Pass: MA VV
  • April 8, 2009: Introduced and Referred to Judiciary
  • April 30, 2009: Hearing; April 30, 2009, Room 103, State House, 3:15 p.m.; SC21
  • May 6, 2009: Committee Report; Ought to Pass [05/13/09]; SC23
  • May 13, 2009: Ought to Pass, MA, VV; OT3rdg
  • May 13, 2009: Passed by Third Reading Resolution
  • May 20, 2009: Enrolled
  • May 20, 2009: Enrolled
  • June 9, 2009: Signed by the Governor 06/09/2009; Effective 01/01/2010; Chapter 0079

Laws It Would Change

Related Bills

  • SB 32-FN (2008): increasing the maximum amount of debt or damages for small claims actions.
  • HB 1234-FN (2006): reducing the maximum amount of debt or damages for small claims actions.

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