Relating generally to magistrate courts
HB 2761 increases the monetary jurisdictional limit for civil cases in West Virginia magistrate courts from $20,000 to a higher amount. This change directly affects individuals and small businesses involved in civil disputes where the value exceeds $20,000 but falls within the new threshold. The bill amends the existing law to allow magistrate courts to handle more significant civil matters without requiring transfer to higher courts. The measure does not alter magistrate courts' jurisdiction over other areas like eviction cases or property disputes without title disputes. The bill became effective on July 7, 2025.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Jul 2025
Introduced Feb 21, 2025
Signed Jul 22, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons
What changed between versions
hb2761 hfat akers 3-11 adopted.htm
→
Enrolled Committee Substitute
·
3 edits
·
Apr 25, 2025
MINOR
The bill text was converted from a draft amendment proposal into a final enrolled legislative act. The substantive policy content regarding the $20,000 civil jurisdiction limit for magistrate courts remains unchanged, but the document now includes official signatures, certification of enrollment, and final passage dates, making it legally effective.
Scope change
The bill's scope of authority over magistrate courts remains identical; the change is purely procedural, transforming the text from a proposed amendment to an enacted law.
TIMELINE
Added official dates indicating the bill was passed on April 8, 2025, and will take effect 90 days later on July 7, 2025.
TECHNICAL
Added signatures for the Clerk of the House, Clerk of the Senate, Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, and Governor to certify the bill is correctly enrolled and enacted.
Removed draft-specific text including the delegate's motion to amend, navigation links, and website footer content.
Floor votes · Senate Apr 8, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 12, 2025
How they voted
31–1
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 33
Apr 8, 2025
D
Democratic2
100% Yea
R
Republican31
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
39
Key actions
8
Committee
6
Amendments
2
Apr 25, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/25/2025
lower
Apr 12, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/25/2025 - Senate Journal
upper
Apr 12, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/25/2025 - House Journal
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Roll No. 366)
upper
Apr 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported do pass
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Committee
To Judiciary
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Title amendment adopted (Voice vote)
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed House (Roll No. 69)
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Amended
Amendment rejected (Voice vote)
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Introduced
Amendment reported by the Clerk
lower
Mar 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
By substitute, do pass
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Committee
To House Courts
lower
Feb 21, 2025
Committee
To House Judiciary
lower
Feb 21, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Feb 21, 2025
Committee
To Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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