SB297 Summary

• Increases the exclusive original jurisdiction threshold for circuit court in civil actions from $10,000 to $20,000, excluding interest and costs.

• Increases the concurrent jurisdiction threshold between circuit and district courts from $6,000 to $20,000 in civil actions, exclusive of interest and costs.

• Updates district court civil jurisdiction to include actions where the matter in controversy does not exceed $20,000 (previously $10,000), exclusive of interest and costs.

• Allows defendants to remove civil actions from district court to circuit court within 30 days of receiving the initial pleading when circuit court has concurrent jurisdiction, without being subject to district court damage limitations.

• Adjusts filing fees in civil cases to align with the new jurisdictional monetary thresholds, including fees for district and circuit court filings.