The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 116 regarding the Landlord tenant settlement conference program authored by Sen. Tallian, Sen. L. Brown, and Sen. Bohacek. The bill, as introduced, provides an increase in the small claims jurisdictional amount for possessory actions to $10,000 until June 30, 2023, requires parties to a possessory action to participate in the Supreme Court’s landlord tenant settlement conference program and allows parties in an emergency possessory action to participate in the program.
At last week’s hearing the Director of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Association explained the details for the federal funds for rental assistance programs available in the state. Justin Forkner, Chief Administrative Officer for Office of Judicial Administration, provided information to the committee on the landlord tenant settlement conference program. The Indiana Association of Realtors testified in support and the Indiana Apartment Association testified in opposition. The bill was held over to this week’s meeting for amendment.
The amendment, adopted by the committee, removes the provision for emergency possessory actions to participate in the settlement conference program; increases the small claims jurisdictional amount for possessory actions to $20,000 until June 30, 2023, if federal government emergency rental assistance funds are available; provides the court may refer to the settlement conference program instead of requiring it; removes the provision for staying an action due to participation in a settlement conference; allows parties to participate in the settlement conference without an attorney; and makes the bill effective upon passage. The committee also discussed working on additional second reading amendments.
The bill passed as amended 10-0.
Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2021/bills/senate/116