IdahoIdaho small claims law sets claim limits and appeal fees
Effective July 1, 2026, Idaho law states a small claims limit and appeal fees, though the printed limit passage does not make the amount clear.
What it does
The law's small claims limit passage prints both $5,000 and $15,000, so this text does not show which amount applies. Small claims courts cannot award punitive damages or damages for pain or suffering.
A person who loses an allowed appeal before a lawyer magistrate must pay the winning party a $25 attorney's fee, in addition to the judgment.
A person appealing a small claims judgment must pay a $20 fee, which is sent to the court technology fund.
Argument forIf the $15,000 limit is the operative amount, people with larger money or property claims could use the small claims process.
Argument againstA person who loses an appeal could owe the other side a $25 lawyer fee on top of the judgment.
More detail
Small claims departments hear money claims and claims to recover personal property up to the printed limit. The limit applies to the amount of a money claim or the value of personal property sought. The court cannot award extra damages meant to punish someone or damages for pain or suffering. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
A person who appeals and loses before a lawyer magistrate must pay the winning party a $25 attorney's fee. The fee applies when the final judgment on appeal is against the person who appealed. The appeal must be allowed under the rules for cases filed in the magistrate's division. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
A person taking an appeal must pay a $20 fee to the county treasurer. The fee applies to a party appealing from a small claims department. The county treasurer must send the fees to the state treasurer for the court technology fund within 15 days after the month ends. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 2Signed by Governor Brad Little on 03/27/26 Session Law Chapter 196 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
- Mar 30Reported delivered to Governor at 10:30 a.m. on 03/27/26To Governor
- Mar 27Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to GovernorMinor
- Mar 26Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to SenateMajor
- Mar 26Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of SpeakerMajor
- Mar 25Returned From House Passed; referred to enrollingMinor
- Vote recorded Read Third Time in Full –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 25Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 67-0-3AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Leavitt, Manwaring, Marmon, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Rasor, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Rubel, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Skaug, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – NoneAbsent – Hall(Stone), Haws, WheelerFloor Sponsor - ShirtsTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 2nd Chamber
- Mar 24Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 23Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 19Read First Time, Referred to Judiciary, Rules & AdministrationMinor
- Vote recorded Read third time in full as amended –. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 19Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading
- Mar 19Read third time in full as amended – PASSED - 35-0-0AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke(Bjerke), Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Toews, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, Woodward, Zito, ZuiderveldNAYS – NoneAbsent and excused – NoneFloor Sponsor - GallowayTitle apvd - to HousePassed 1st Chamber
- Mar 17Read second time as amended, filed for Third readingMinor
- Mar 16Read first time as amended, filed for Second Reading
- Mar 16Reported engrossed, filed for first reading, as amended
- Mar 16Amendments reported printed
- Mar 13Amendments ordered printed; referred for engrossment
- Mar 13Reported out without recommendation, as amended
- Mar 13Placed in the Committee of the Whole
- Mar 10Reported out of committee; to 14th Order for amendment
- Feb 20Reported Printed; referred to Judiciary & Rules
- Feb 19Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for PrintingIntroduced
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