AB 2781: Civil cases: filing fees.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

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.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. July 16, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 98, Statutes of 2026.
2. July 16, 2026Approved by the Governor.
3. July 15, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 11:15 a.m.
4. July 2, 2026In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.
5. July 2, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 37. Noes 0. Page 5190.).
6. June 30, 2026Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.
7. June 29, 2026From committee: Be ordered to second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to Consent Calendar.
8. June 17, 2026From 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.
9. May 13, 2026Referred to Com. on JUD.
10. May 5, 2026In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
11. May 4, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 4917.)
12. April 23, 2026Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.