AB 2781 CA

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Became Law

Existing law requires a filing fee of $50 in a small claims case where the demand is more than $1,500 but less than or equal to $5,000, and a filing fee of $75 if the amount of the demand in a small claims case is more than $5,000. This bill would instead require a filing fee of $50 for small claims cases with a demand of more than $1,500 but less than or equal to $6,250, and a filing fee of $75 for cases if the amount of the demand is more than $6,250. Existing law requires a uniform filing fee of $205 for the first paper in a case where the amount demanded, excluding attorney's fees and costs, is $10,000 or less. Existing law requires the first paper to state whether the amount demanded exceeds or does not exceed $10,000. Existing law also requires a $205 filing fee for a petition for a writ or a notice of appeal to the appellative division of the superior court if the amount demanded in a limited civil case, excluding attorney's fees and costs, is $10,000 or less. This bill would revise these provisions to apply to cases where the amount demanded, excluding attorney's fees and costs, is $12,500 or less. Existing law requires, if a plaintiff or petitioner files an amended complaint or other initial pleading that increases the amount demanded to an amount that exceeds $10,000 but does not exceed $25,000, a fee equal to the difference between the original filing fee and the filing fee for the new amount demanded to be charged to make up the difference between the filing fees. Existing law also requires, if a party files a cross-complaint, amended cross-complaint, or amendment to a cross-complaint demanding an amount that exceeds $10,000 but does not exceed $25,000, a fee equal to the difference between the original filing fee and the filing fee for the new amount to be charged to make up the difference between the filing fees. This bill would revise these provisions to apply to cases where the revised amount demanded exceeds $12,500 but does not exceed $35,000.

• Committee on Judiciary · author

1. Mar 11, 2026 Read first time. To print. · lower
2. Mar 12, 2026 From printer. May be heard in committee April 11. · lower
3. Mar 16, 2026 Referred to Com. on JUD. · lower
4. Apr 8, 2026 From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on JUD. Read second time and amended. · lower
5. Apr 9, 2026 Re-referred to Com. on JUD. · lower
6. Apr 15, 2026 From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. · lower
7. Apr 22, 2026 From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (April 22). · lower
8. Apr 23, 2026 Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. · lower
9. May 4, 2026 Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 4917.) · lower
10. May 5, 2026 In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. · upper
11. May 13, 2026 Referred to Com. on JUD. · upper
12. Jun 17, 2026 From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (June 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. · upper
13. Jun 29, 2026 From committee: Be ordered to second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to Consent Calendar. · upper
14. Jun 30, 2026 Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. · upper
15. Jul 2, 2026 Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 37. Noes 0.). · upper
16. Jul 2, 2026 In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling. · lower
17. Jul 15, 2026 Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 11:15 a.m. · legislature
18. Jul 16, 2026 Approved by the Governor. · legislature
19. Jul 16, 2026 Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 98, Statutes of 2026. · legislature