Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

Oklahoma House Bill HB1611 Compare Versions

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Version 2 (New)

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	30	+	March 26, 2024
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3	34		BILL NO. 1611 By: Osburn of the House
4	35
5	36		and
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7	38		Standridge of the Senate
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13	43		An Act relating to civil procedure; amending 12 O.S.
14	44		2021, Section 1751, which relates to The Small Claims
15	45		Procedure Act; authorizing certain entities to
16	46		represent themselves in small claims actions; and
17	47		providing an effective date.
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21		-
22		-	SUBJECT: Civil procedure
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24	51		BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
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26	52		SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 12 O.S. 2021, Section 1751, is
27	53		amended to read as follows:
28		-
29	54		Section 1751. A. The following suits may be brought under the
30	55		small claims procedure:
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32	56		1. Actions for the recovery of money based on contract or tort,
33	57		including subrogation claims, but excluding libel or slander, in
34	58		which the amount soug ht to be recovered, exclusive of attorney fees
35	59		and other court costs, does not exceed Ten Thousand Dollars
36	60		($10,000.00);
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38	61		2. Actions to replevy personal property the value of which does
39	62		not exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00). If the claims for
40	63		possession of personal property and to recover money are pled in the
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41	91		alternative, the joinder of claims is permissible if neither the
42	92		value of the property nor the total amount of money sought to be
43	93		recovered, exclusive of attorney fees and other costs, exceeds Ten
44	94		Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00); and
45		-	ENR. H. B. NO. 1611 Page 2
46	95		3. Actions in the nature of interpleader, as provided for in
47	96		Section 2022 of this title, in which the value of the money which is
48	97		the subject of such action does not exceed Ten Thousand Dollars
49	98		($10,000.00).
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51	99		B. No action may be brought under the small claims procedure by
52	100		any collection agency, collection agent, or assignee of a claim,
53	101		except that an action may be brought against an insurer or third -
54	102		party administrator by a health care provider as that term is
55	103		defined in Section 6552 of Title 36 of the Oklahoma Statutes, who is
56	104		an assignee of benefits available under an ac cident and health
57	105		insurance policy, trust, plan, or contract.
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59	106		C. In those cases which are uncontested:
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61	107		1. Except as provided in paragraph 2 of thi s subsection, the
62	108		amount of attorney fees allowed shall not exceed ten percent (10%)
63	109		of the judgment;
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65	110		2. Upon application to the court supported by sufficient
66	111		documentation, the court may award attorney fees not to exceed
67	112		twenty-five percent (25%) of the judgment.
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69	113		Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the
70	114		amount of attorney fees awarded in cont ested cases. Further,
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71	142		nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit an award
72	143		of attorney fees for the defense of an action brought unde r the
73	144		small claims procedure.
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75	145		D. No action may be brought under the small claims procedure
76	146		for any alleged claim against any city, county or state agency, or
77	147		employee of a city, county or state agency, if the claim alleges
78	148		matters arising from incarcerati on, probation, parole or community
79	149		supervision.
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81	150		E. No action by a plaintiff who is currently incarcerated i n
82	151		any jail or prison in the state may be brought against any person or
83	152		entity under the small claims procedure.
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85	153		F. A small claims affidavit shall i nclude a statement
86	154		acknowledging that the plaintiff is disclaiming a right to a trial
87	155		by jury on the merits of the case.
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89	156		G. In an action filed and tried under The Small Claims
90		-	Procedure Act or an action ~~f or~~ forcible entry and detainer placed on ~~ENR. H. B. NO. 1611 Page 3~~
	157	+	Procedure Act or an action for forcible entry and detainer placed on
91	158		the small claims docket of the district court or assigned to the
92	159		small claims division pursuant to Section 1148.14 of this title,
93	160		parties that are corporations, limited liability companies,
94	161		partnerships, trusts, or other legal entities may appear by and
95	162		through a corporate officer, member, manager, partner, trustee, or
96	163		regular full-time employee, who shall be authorized to execute the
97	164		statutory affidavits and other filings with the court and otherwise
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98	192		proceed as any other party who is an individual representing
99	193		themself.
100		-
101	194		SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2024.
102		-	ENR. H. B. NO. 1611 Page 4
103		-	Passed the House of Representatives the 11th day of March, 2024.
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108		-	Presiding Officer of the House
109		-	of Representatives
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113		-	Passed the Senate the 17th day of April, 2024.
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118		-	Presiding Officer of the Senate
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121		-	OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
122		-	Received by the Office of the Governor this ____________________
123		-	day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
124		-	By: _________________________________
125		-	Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _____ ____
126		-	day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
127		-
128		-
129		-	_________________________________
130		-	Governor of the State of Oklahoma
131		-
132		-	OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
133		-	Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________
134		-	day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
135		-	By: _________________________________
	195	+	COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMM ITTEE ON JUDICIARY
	196	+	March 26, 2024 - DO PASS