HB 4900 Summary

• Increases homestead exemption from $3,500 to $125,000 ($200,000 if debtor or dependent is 65+ or disabled) and raises exemptions for household goods to $5,000, motor vehicles to $5,000, tools/equipment to $10,000, and computers to $5,000.

• Protects garnishable earnings by limiting garnishment to whichever is smaller: earnings exceeding 35 times the applicable minimum wage, or 15% of weekly garnishable earnings; exempts certain public benefits including means-tested assistance, unemployment, earned income tax credit, and disability benefits.

• Requires courts to mail notice to judgment debtors explaining exempt property protections and right to request installment payments; entitles debtors to prompt hearings to claim exemptions or contest seizure of exempt property.

• Prohibits employers from disciplining, discharging, or refusing to hire employees based on garnishment proceedings; requires reinstatement, back pay, benefits, and attorney fees for violations.

• Implements automatic adjustment of exemption amounts every three years based on Consumer Price Index and home price index; effective 180 days after enactment.