Senate-passed bill would raise the minimum dollar amount for some federal court cases to $150,000

Congress would remove the $75,000 figure from section 1332(a) of Title 28 and set the minimum amount in a new subsection (b) at not less than $150,000, not counting interest and costs. This covers cases under section 1332 of Title 28, which the Act's title calls diversity jurisdiction.

The minimum amount would be adjusted for changes in the Consumer Price Index, rounded to the nearest $25,000. The Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts would work out each new amount and send it to the Federal Register. The first adjustment compares September of the year before it with September 2025. Later adjustments compare with September of the year before the last adjustment. The Director must submit each new amount for publication by November 15. Adjustments take effect on January 1, 2030, and on January 1 of each tenth year after that.

If a plaintiff who filed in federal court wins less than the required amount, the court may deny that plaintiff's costs and may make the plaintiff pay costs. This applies to plaintiffs who file the case originally in federal court and are finally found entitled to recover less than the required amount. It does not apply when another federal statute makes different provision. The comparison ignores any setoff or counterclaim and excludes interest and costs.