HB2761 is a bill in the West Virginia Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Relating generally to magistrate courts.

What is the status of HB2761?

Passed both chambers as of April 25, 2025.

Who sponsored HB2761?

Akers, James Robert JB (R, 055), with 5 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB2761?

On the West Virginia Legislature website: http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=2761&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill

West Virginia legislation · 2025 Regular Session

West Virginia HB2761: Relating generally to magistrate courts

Q: What does HB2761 do?

In its own words: An act to amend and reenact §50-2-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to increasing the jurisdictional limits of magistrate courts in civil actions. ARTICLE 2. JURISDICTION AND AUTHORITY. §50-2-1. Civil jurisdiction. Except as limited herein and in addition to jurisdiction granted elsewhere to magistrate courts, such courts shall have jurisdiction of all civil actions wherein the value or amount in controversy or the value of property sought, exclusive of interest and cost, is not more than $20,000. Magistrate courts shall have jurisdiction of all matters involving unlaw.

Status: Passed both chambers, April 25, 2025

The purpose of this bill is to increase the jurisdiction limits of magistrate courts for claims less than or equal to $20,000.00 and to clarify that corporate parties may appear pro-se by an agent or by an attorney provided the corporate party is attempting to vindicate its claims rather than those of a third party.

What the bill says

An act to amend and reenact §50-2-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to increasing the jurisdictional limits of magistrate courts in civil actions. ARTICLE 2. JURISDICTION AND AUTHORITY. §50-2-1. Civil jurisdiction. Except as limited herein and in addition to jurisdiction granted elsewhere to magistrate courts, such courts shall have jurisdiction of all civil actions wherein the value or amount in controversy or the value of property sought, exclusive of interest and cost, is not more than $20,000. Magistrate courts shall have jurisdiction of all matters involving unlaw.

From the enrolled text, April 8, 2025:

AN ACT to amend and reenact §50-2-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to increasing the jurisdictional limits of magistrate courts in civil actions. ARTICLE 2. JURISDICTION AND AUTHORITY. §50-2-1. Civil jurisdiction. Except as limited herein and in addition to jurisdiction granted elsewhere to magistrate courts, such courts shall have jurisdiction of all civil actions wherein the value or amount in controversy or the value of property sought, exclusive of interest and cost, is not more than $20,000. Magistrate courts shall have jurisdiction of all matters involving unlawful entry or detainer of real property or involving wrongful occupation of residential rental property, so long as the title to such property is not in dispute. Except as the same may be in conflict with the provisions of this chapter, the provisions of article three, chapter fifty-five of this code, regarding unlawful entry and detainer, shall apply to such actions in magistrate court. Magistrate courts shall have jurisdiction of actions on bonds given pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Magistrate courts shall have continuing jurisdiction to entertain motions in regard to post-judgment process issued from magistrate court and decisions thereon may be appealed in the same manner as judgments. Magistrate courts do not have jurisdiction of actions in equity, of matters in eminent domain, of matters in …

West Virginia HB2761: Relating generally to magistrate courts

What the bill says

Sponsors

Votes

Common questions