Georgia General Assembly · Full text

SB 405: Magistrate Court; the maximum amount of civil claims that can be tried in magistrate court; increase

Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action March 6, 2026 · Introduced

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Senate Bill 405

By: Senator Setzler of the 37th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

To amend Code Section 15-10-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general jurisdiction and authority of magistrate to act, so as to increase the maximum amount of civil claims that can be tried in magistrate court; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Code Section 15-10-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general jurisdiction and authority of magistrate to act, is amended by revising paragraph (5) of subsection (a) as follows:

"(5) The trial of civil claims including garnishment and attachment in which exclusive jurisdiction is not vested in the superior court and the amount demanded or the value of the property claimed does not exceed ~~$15,000.00~~ $50,000.00, provided that no prejudgment attachment may be granted;"

SECTION 2.

This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2026, and shall apply to causes of action accruing on or after such date.

SECTION 3.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.