STATE SENATOR JOE SIMITIAN, WHOSE DISTRICT INCLUDES PORTIONS OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, HAS HAD SUCCESS IN HIS ATTEMPT TO INCREASE THE CLAIMS LIMIT IN SMALL-CLAIMS COURT. HIS BILL, S.B.-221, ADVANCED BOTH HOUSES UNANIMOUSLY, AND NOW GOES TO THE GOVERNOR FOR APPROVAL. IF HE SIGNS THE BILL INTO LAW, THOSE SEEKING DAMAGES OR RESTITUTION IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT WOULD BE ABLE TO SEEK UP TO 10-THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE CURRENT LIMIT IS 75-HUNDRED DOLLARS, WHICH ITSELF WAS AN INCREASE FROM THE 2005 LIMIT. THAT INCREASE WAS ALSO AUTHORED BY SENATOR SIMITIAN.
