Minnesota Session Laws - 1992, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1992 

                        CHAPTER 591-S.F.No. 1691 
           An act relating to courts; authorizing certain 
          appearances in conciliation court; modifying and 
          clarifying conciliation court jurisdiction and 
          procedures; increasing jurisdictional amounts; 
          amending Minnesota Statutes 1990, sections 487.30, 
          subdivisions 1, 3a, 4, 7, 8, and by adding 
          subdivisions; 488A.12, subdivision 3; 488A.16, 
          subdivision 1; 488A.17, subdivision 10, and by adding 
          a subdivision; 488A.29, subdivision 3; 488A.33, 
          subdivision 1; 488A.34, subdivision 9, and by adding a 
          subdivision; and 549.02; Minnesota Statutes 1991 
          Supplement, section 481.02, subdivision 3; repealing 
          Minnesota Statutes 1990, sections 487.30, subdivision 
          3; 488A.14, subdivision 6; and 488A.31, subdivision 6. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1991 Supplement, section 
481.02, subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
    Subd. 3.  [PERMITTED ACTIONS.] The provisions of this 
section shall not prohibit:  
    (1) any person from drawing, without charge, any document 
to which the person, an employer of the person, a firm of which 
the person is a member, or a corporation whose officer or 
employee the person is, is a party, except another's will or 
testamentary disposition or instrument of trust serving purposes 
similar to those of a will; 
    (2) a person from drawing a will for another in an 
emergency if the imminence of death leaves insufficient time to 
have it drawn and its execution supervised by a licensed 
attorney-at-law; 
    (3) any insurance company from causing to be defended, or 
from offering to cause to be defended through lawyers of its 
selection, the insureds in policies issued or to be issued by 
it, in accordance with the terms of the policies; 
    (4) a licensed attorney-at-law from acting for several 
common-carrier corporations or any of its subsidiaries pursuant 
to arrangement between the corporations; 
      (5) any bona fide labor organization from giving legal 
advice to its members in matters arising out of their 
employment; 
      (6) any person from conferring or cooperating with a 
licensed attorney-at-law of another in preparing any legal 
document, if the attorney is not, directly or indirectly, in the 
employ of the person or of any person, firm, or corporation 
represented by the person; 
      (7) any licensed attorney-at-law of Minnesota, who is an 
officer or employee of a corporation, from drawing, for or 
without compensation, any document to which the corporation is a 
party or in which it is interested personally or in a 
representative capacity, except wills or testamentary 
dispositions or instruments of trust serving purposes similar to 
those of a will, but any charge made for the legal work 
connected with preparing and drawing the document shall not 
exceed the amount paid to and received and retained by the 
attorney, and the attorney shall not, directly or indirectly, 
rebate the fee to or divide the fee with the corporation; 
      (8) any person or corporation from drawing, for or without 
a fee, farm or house leases, notes, mortgages, chattel 
mortgages, bills of sale, deeds, assignments, satisfactions, or 
any other conveyances except testamentary dispositions and 
instruments of trust; 
      (9) a licensed attorney-at-law of Minnesota from rendering 
to a corporation legal services to itself at the expense of one 
or more of its bona fide principal stockholders by whom the 
attorney is employed and by whom no compensation is, directly or 
indirectly, received for the services; 
      (10) any person or corporation engaged in the business of 
making collections from engaging or turning over to an 
attorney-at-law for the purpose of instituting and conducting 
suit or making proof of claim of a creditor in any case in which 
the attorney-at-law receives the entire compensation for the 
work; 
     (11) any regularly established farm journal or newspaper, 
devoted to general news, from publishing a department of legal 
questions and answers to them, made by a licensed 
attorney-at-law, if no answer is accompanied or at any time 
preceded or followed by any charge for it, any disclosure of any 
name of the maker of any answer, any recommendation of or 
reference to any one to furnish legal advice or services, or by 
any legal advice or service for the periodical or any one 
connected with it or suggested by it, directly or indirectly; 
     (12) any authorized management agent of an owner of rental 
property used for residential purposes, whether the management 
agent is a natural person, corporation, partnership, limited 
partnership, or any other business entity, from commencing, 
maintaining, conducting, or defending in its own behalf any 
action in any court in this state to recover or retain 
possession of the property, except that the provision of this 
clause does not authorize a person who is not a licensed 
attorney-at-law to conduct a jury trial or to appear before a 
district court or the court of appeals or supreme court pursuant 
to an appeal; 
     (13) any person from commencing, maintaining, conducting, 
or defending on behalf of the plaintiff or defendant any action 
in any court of this state pursuant to the provisions of section 
566.175 or sections 566.18 to 566.33 or from commencing, 
maintaining, conducting, or defending on behalf of the plaintiff 
or defendant any action in any court of this state for the 
recovery of rental property used for residential purposes 
pursuant to the provisions of section 566.02 or 566.03, 
subdivision 1, except that the provision of this clause does not 
authorize a person who is not a licensed attorney-at-law to 
conduct a jury trial or to appear before a district court or the 
court of appeals or supreme court pursuant to an appeal, and 
provided that, except for a nonprofit corporation, a person who 
is not a licensed attorney-at-law shall not charge or collect a 
separate fee for services rendered pursuant to this clause; or 
    (14) the delivery of legal services by a specialized legal 
assistant in accordance with a specialty license issued by the 
supreme court before July 1, 1995; or 
    (15) an officer, shareholder, director, partner, or 
employee from appearing on behalf of a corporation, partnership, 
sole proprietorship, or association in conciliation court in 
accordance with section 8 or in district court in an action that 
was removed from conciliation court. 
    Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 487.30, 
subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
    Subdivision 1. [JURISDICTION; GENERAL.] (a) Except as 
provided in paragraph (b), The conciliation court shall hear and 
determine civil claims if the amount of money or property which 
is the subject matter of the claim does not exceed $4,000 $5,000 
for the determination thereof without jury trial and by a simple 
and informal procedure.  The rules of the supreme court shall 
provide for a right of appeal from the decision of the 
conciliation court to the county district court for a trial on 
the merits.  Except as otherwise provided in this section, the 
territorial jurisdiction of a conciliation court shall be 
coextensive with the county in which the court is established. 
    (b) If the claim involves a consumer credit transaction, 
the amount of money or property that is the subject matter of 
the claim may not exceed $2,500.  "Consumer credit transaction" 
means a sale of personal property, or a loan arranged to 
facilitate the purchase of personal property, in which:  
    (1) credit is granted by a seller or a lender who regularly 
engages as a seller or lender in credit transactions of the same 
kind; 
    (2) the buyer is a natural person; 
    (3) the claimant is the seller or lender in the 
transaction; and 
    (4) the personal property is purchased primarily for a 
personal, family, or household purpose and not for a commercial, 
agricultural, or business purpose.  The summons in an action 
under subdivisions 3a to 4 may be served anywhere within the 
state. 
    (b) If the controversy concerns the ownership or possession 
of personal property the value of which does not exceed $5,000, 
the court may determine the ownership and possession of the 
property and order any party to deliver the property to another 
party.  The order is enforceable by the sheriff of the county in 
which the property is located without further legal process. 
    Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 487.30, 
subdivision 3a, is amended to read: 
    Subd. 3a.  [JURISDICTION; STUDENT LOANS.] Notwithstanding 
the provisions of subdivision 1 or any rule of court to the 
contrary, The conciliation court also has jurisdiction to 
determine a civil action commenced by a plaintiff educational 
institution, including but not limited to, a state university or 
community college, with administrative offices in the county in 
which the conciliation court is located, to recover the amount 
of a student loan or loans even though the defendant or 
defendants are not residents of the county under the following 
conditions: 
    (a) the student loan or loans were originally awarded in 
the county in which the conciliation court is located; 
    (b) the loan or loans are overdue at the time the action is 
commenced; 
    (c) the amount sought in any single action does not exceed 
$4,000; 
    (d) notice that payment on the loan is overdue has 
previously been sent by first class mail to the borrower to the 
last known address reported by the borrower to the educational 
institution; and 
    (e) (c) the notice states that the educational institution 
may commence a conciliation court action in the county where the 
loan was awarded to recover the amount of the loan. 
    Notwithstanding any law or rule or civil procedure to the 
contrary, a summons in any action commenced under this 
subdivision may be served anywhere within the state of 
Minnesota.  The conciliation court administrator shall attach a 
copy of the overdue loan or loans to the summons before it is 
issued.  
    Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 487.30, is 
amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
    Subd. 3b.  [JURISDICTION; FOREIGN DEFENDANTS.] (a) A 
conciliation court action may be commenced against a foreign 
corporation doing business in this state in the county where the 
corporation's registered agent is located; in the county where 
the cause of action arises, if the corporation has a place of 
business in that county; or, if the corporation does not appoint 
or maintain a registered agent in this state, in the county in 
which the plaintiff resides. 
     (b) In the case of a nonresident other than a foreign 
corporation, if this state has jurisdiction under section 
543.19, a conciliation court action may be commenced against the 
nonresident in the county in which the plaintiff resides. 
    Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 487.30, is 
amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
    Subd. 3c.  [JURISDICTION; MULTIPLE DEFENDANTS.] A 
conciliation court action may be commenced by a plaintiff 
against two or more defendants in the county in which one or 
more of the defendants resides.  Counterclaims may be commenced 
in the county where the original action was commenced. 
    Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 487.30, is 
amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
    Subd. 3d.  [JURISDICTION; CERTAIN CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF 
RENTAL PROPERTY.] An action under section 504.20 for the 
recovery of a deposit on rental property, or an action under 
section 504.245, 504.255, or 504.26, also may be brought in the 
county in which the rental property is located. 
    Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 487.30, 
subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
    Subd. 4.  [JURISDICTION; DISHONORED CHECKS.] The 
conciliation court also has jurisdiction to determine a civil 
action commenced by a plaintiff, resident of the county, to 
recover the amount of a dishonored check issued in the county, 
even though the defendant or defendants are not residents of the 
county, if the notice of nonpayment or dishonor described in 
section 609.535, subdivision 3, is sent to the maker or drawer 
as specified therein and the notice states that the payee or 
holder of the check may commence a conciliation court action in 
the county where the dishonored check was issued to recover the 
amount of the check.  This subdivision does not apply to a check 
that has been dishonored by a stop payment order.  
Notwithstanding any law or rule of civil procedure to the 
contrary, the summons in any action commenced under this 
subdivision may be served anywhere within the state of 
Minnesota.  The court administrator of conciliation court shall 
attach a copy of the dishonored check to the summons before it 
is issued.  
    Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 487.30, is 
amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
    Subd. 4a.  [ATTORNEYS; REPRESENTATION.] (a) A party to a 
conciliation court action may appear without an attorney or may 
be represented by an attorney when the conciliation court, in 
its discretion, finds the interests of justice would best be 
served by that representation, and it is limited to the extent 
and in the manner that the judge considers helpful.  The court 
shall adopt simplified procedures to allow parties to represent 
themselves. 
     (b) A corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or 
association may be represented by an officer or partner who is 
not an attorney or may appoint an employee who is not an 
attorney to appear on its behalf or settle a claim in 
conciliation court.  If all the partners or shareholders of a 
partnership, association, or corporation are attorneys, an 
officer, partner, or employee who is an attorney may represent 
the partnership, association, or corporation.  In the case of an 
employee, an authorized power of attorney or other evidence of 
authority acceptable to the court must be filed with the claim 
or presented at the hearing. 
    Sec. 9.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 487.30, 
subdivision 7, is amended to read: 
    Subd. 7.  [NOTICE OF COSTS ON REMOVAL.] A notice of order 
for judgment shall contain a statement that if the cause is 
removed to county district court, the court may, in its 
discretion, allow the prevailing party to recover from the 
aggrieved party an amount not to exceed $50 as costs if the 
prevailing party on appeal is not the aggrieved party in the 
original action.  The notice must also contain a statement that 
if the removing party does not prevail, the opposing party will 
be awarded costs as provided under subdivision 8, and must 
include the actual dollar amount of costs applicable to the case.
    Sec. 10.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 487.30, 
subdivision 8, is amended to read: 
    Subd. 8.  [COSTS AND DISBURSEMENTS ON REMOVAL.] (a) For the 
purpose of this subdivision, "removing party" means the party 
who demands removal to district court or the first party who 
serves or files a demand for removal, if another party also 
demands removal.  "Opposing party" means any party as to whom 
the removing party seeks a reversal in whole or in part.  
    (b) If the removing party prevails in district court, the 
removing party may recover costs from the opposing party as 
provided by rules of the supreme court.  If the removing party 
does not prevail, the court shall award the opposing party an 
additional $200 $250 as costs. 
    (c) The removing party prevails in district court if:  
    (1) the removing party recovers at least $500 or 50 percent 
of the amount or value of property that the removing party 
requested on removal, whichever is less, when the removing party 
was denied any recovery in conciliation court; 
    (2) the opposing party does not recover any amount or any 
property from the removing party in district court when the 
opposing party recovered some amount or some property in 
conciliation court; 
    (3) the removing party recovers an amount or value of 
property in district court that exceeds the amount or value of 
property that the removing party recovered in conciliation court 
by at least $500 or 50 percent, whichever is less; or 
    (4) the amount or value of property that the opposing party 
recovers from the removing party in district court is reduced 
from the amount or value of property that the opposing party 
recovered in conciliation court by at least $500 or 50 percent, 
whichever is less. 
    (d) Costs or disbursements in conciliation or district 
court shall not be considered in determining whether there was a 
recovery by either party in either court or in determining the 
difference in recovery under this subdivision. 
    Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 487.30, is 
amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
    Subd. 10.  [JUDGMENT DEBTOR DISCLOSURE.] If a cause is 
removed to district court, judgment is entered by the district 
court and has been docketed for at least 30 days, the judgment 
is not satisfied, and the parties have not otherwise agreed, the 
district court shall, upon request of the judgment creditor, 
order the judgment debtor to mail to the judgment creditor the 
information on the judgment debtor's assets, liabilities, and 
personal earnings specified in subdivision 5 on the form 
provided by that subdivision.  The remedies provided for a 
violation of subdivision 5 apply to a violation of this 
subdivision. 
    Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 488A.12, 
subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
    Subd. 3.  [JURISDICTION.] (a) Excepting actions involving 
title to real estate, the court has jurisdiction to hear, 
conciliate, try, and determine civil actions at law where the 
amount in controversy does not exceed the sum of $4,000, except 
that if the action involves a consumer credit transaction, the 
amount in controversy may not exceed $2,000.  "Consumer credit 
transaction" has the meaning given in section 487.30, 
subdivision 1.  The territorial jurisdiction of the court is 
coextensive with the geographic boundaries of the county of 
Hennepin. 
    (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), or any 
rule of court to the contrary, the conciliation court of 
Hennepin county has jurisdiction to determine an action brought 
pursuant to section 504.20 for the recovery of a deposit on 
rental property located in whole or in part in Hennepin county, 
and the summons in the action may be served anywhere within the 
state of Minnesota. 
    (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), or any 
rule of court to the contrary, the conciliation court of 
Hennepin county has jurisdiction to determine a civil action 
commenced by a plaintiff, a resident of Hennepin county, to 
recover the amount of a dishonored check issued in the county, 
even though the defendant or defendants are not residents of 
Hennepin county, if the notice of nonpayment or dishonor 
described in section 609.535, subdivision 3, is sent to the 
maker or drawer as specified therein and the notice states that 
the payee or holder of the check may commence a conciliation 
court action in the county where the dishonored check was issued 
to recover the amount of the check.  This clause does not apply 
to a check that has been dishonored by a stop payment order.  
Notwithstanding any law or rule of civil procedure to the 
contrary, the summons in any action commenced under this clause 
may be served anywhere within the state of Minnesota.  The 
conciliation court administrator shall attach a copy of the 
dishonored check to the summons before it is issued.  
    (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) or any 
rule of court to the contrary, the conciliation court of 
Hennepin county has jurisdiction to determine a civil action 
commenced by a plaintiff educational institution, including but 
not limited to, a state university or community college, with 
administrative offices in the county in which the conciliation 
court is located, to recover the amount of a student loan or 
loans even though the defendant or defendants are not residents 
of Hennepin county under the following conditions: 
    (1) the student loan or loans were originally awarded in 
Hennepin county; 
    (2) the loan or loans are overdue at the time the action is 
commenced; 
    (3) the amount sought in any single action does not exceed 
$3,500; 
    (4) notice that payment on the loan is overdue has 
previously been sent by first class mail to the borrower to the 
last known address reported by the borrower to the educational 
institution; and 
    (5) the notice states that the educational institution may 
commence a conciliation court action in Hennepin county to 
recover the amount of the loan. 
    Notwithstanding any law or rule or civil procedure to the 
contrary, a summons in any action commenced under this clause 
may be served anywhere within the state of Minnesota.  The 
conciliation court administrator shall attach a copy of the 
overdue loan or loans to the summons before it is issued.  The 
provisions of section 487.30 dealing with jurisdiction of 
conciliation courts apply in Hennepin county. 
    Sec. 13.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 488A.16, 
subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
    Subdivision 1.  [NOTICE OF ORDER.] The court administrator 
shall promptly mail to each party a notice of the order for 
judgment which the judge enters.  The notice shall state the 
number of days allowed for obtaining an order to vacate where 
there has been a default or for removing the cause to municipal 
court.  The notice shall contain a statement that if the cause 
is removed to municipal court, the court may, in its discretion, 
allow the prevailing party to recover from the aggrieved party 
an amount not to exceed $50 as costs if the prevailing party on 
appeal is not the aggrieved party in the original action.  The 
provisions of section 487.30 dealing with the notice of order 
apply in Hennepin county.  
    Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 488A.17, 
subdivision 10, is amended to read: 
    Subd. 10.  [COSTS AND DISBURSEMENTS ON REMOVAL.] (a) For 
the purpose of this subdivision, "removing party" means the 
party who demands removal to district court or the first party 
who serves or files a demand for removal, if another party also 
demands removal.  "Opposing party" means any party as to whom 
the removing party seeks a reversal in whole or in part. 
    (b) If the removing party prevails in district court, the 
removing party may recover $5 as costs from the opposing party, 
together with disbursements in conciliation and district court.  
If the removing party does not prevail, the court shall award 
the opposing party an additional $200 as costs, together with 
disbursements. 
    (c) The removing party prevails in district court if: 
    (1) the removing party recovers at least $500 or 50 percent 
of the amount or value of property that the removing party 
requested on removal, whichever is less, when the removing party 
was denied any recovery in conciliation court; 
    (2) the opposing party does not recover any amount or any 
property from the removing party in district court when the 
opposing party recovered some amount or some property in 
conciliation court; 
    (3) the removing party recovers an amount or value of 
property in district court that exceeds the amount or value of 
property that the removing party recovered in conciliation court 
by at least $500 or 50 percent, whichever is less; or 
    (4) the amount or value of property that the opposing party 
recovers from the removing party in district court is reduced 
from the amount or value of property that the opposing party 
recovered in conciliation court by at least $500 or 50 percent, 
whichever is less. 
    (d) Costs or disbursements in conciliation or district 
court shall not be considered in determining whether there was a 
recovery by either party in either court or in determining the 
difference in recovery under this subdivision.  The provisions 
of section 487.30 dealing with costs and disbursements on 
removal apply in Hennepin county. 
    Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 488A.17, is 
amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
    Subd. 11a.  [JUDGMENT DEBTOR DISCLOSURE.] If a cause is 
removed to the municipal court, judgment is entered by the 
municipal court and has been docketed for at least 30 days, the 
judgment is not satisfied, and the parties have not otherwise 
agreed, the municipal court shall upon request of the judgment 
creditor, order the judgment debtor to mail to the judgment 
creditor the information on the judgment debtor's assets, 
liabilities, and personal earnings specified in section 488A.16, 
subdivision 8, on the form provided by that subdivision.  The 
remedies provided for a violation of section 488A.16, 
subdivision 8, apply to a violation of this subdivision. 
    Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 488A.29, 
subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
    Subd. 3.  [JURISDICTION.] (a) Excepting actions involving 
title to real estate, the court has jurisdiction to hear, 
conciliate, try and determine civil actions at law where the 
amount in controversy does not exceed the sum of $4,000, except 
that if the action involves a consumer credit transaction, the 
amount in controversy may not exceed $2,000.  "Consumer credit 
transaction" has the meaning given in section 487.30, 
subdivision 1.  The territorial jurisdiction of the court is 
coextensive with the geographic boundaries of the county of 
Ramsey. 
    (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) or any 
rule of court to the contrary, the conciliation court of Ramsey 
county has jurisdiction to determine an action brought pursuant 
to section 504.20 for the recovery of a deposit on rental 
property located in whole or in part in Ramsey county, and the 
summons in the action may be served anywhere in the state of 
Minnesota. 
    (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) or any 
rule of court to the contrary, the conciliation court of Ramsey 
county has jurisdiction to determine a civil action commenced by 
a plaintiff, resident of Ramsey county, to recover the amount of 
a dishonored check issued in the county, even though the 
defendant or defendants are not residents of Ramsey county, if 
the notice of nonpayment or dishonor described in section 
609.535, subdivision 3, is sent to the maker or drawer as 
specified therein and the notice states that the payee or holder 
of the check may commence a conciliation court action in the 
county where the dishonored check was issued to recover the 
amount of the check.  This clause does not apply to a check that 
has been dishonored by a stop payment order.  Notwithstanding 
any law or rule of civil procedure to the contrary, the summons 
in any action commenced under this clause may be served anywhere 
within the state of Minnesota.  The conciliation court 
administrator shall attach a copy of the dishonored check to the 
summons before it is issued. 
    (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) or any 
rule of court to the contrary, the conciliation court of Ramsey 
county has jurisdiction to determine a civil action commenced by 
a plaintiff educational institution, including but not limited 
to, a state university or community college, with administrative 
offices in the county in which the conciliation court is 
located, to recover the amount of a student loan or loans even 
though the defendant or defendants are not residents of Ramsey 
county under the following conditions: 
    (1) the student loan or loans were originally awarded in 
Ramsey county; 
    (2) the loan or loans are overdue at the time the action is 
commenced; 
    (3) the amount sought in any single action does not exceed 
$4,000; 
    (4) notice that payment on the loan is overdue has 
previously been sent by first class mail to the borrower to the 
last known address reported by the borrower to the educational 
institution; and 
    (5) the notice states that the educational institution may 
commence a conciliation court action in Ramsey county to recover 
the amount of the loan. 
    Notwithstanding any law or rule or civil procedure to the 
contrary, a summons in any action commenced under this clause 
may be served anywhere within the state of Minnesota.  The 
conciliation court administrator shall attach a copy of the 
overdue loan or loans to the summons before it is issued. The 
provisions of section 487.30 dealing with jurisdiction of 
conciliation courts apply in Ramsey county. 
    Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 488A.33, 
subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
    Subdivision 1.  [NOTICE OF ORDER.] The administrator shall 
promptly mail to each party a notice of the order for judgment 
which the judge enters.  The notice shall state the number of 
days allowed for obtaining an order to vacate where there has 
been a default or for removing the cause to municipal court.  
The notice shall also contain a statement that if the cause is 
removed to municipal court, the court may, in its discretion, 
allow the prevailing party to recover from the aggrieved party 
an amount not to exceed $50 as costs if the prevailing party on 
appeal is not the aggrieved party in the original action.  The 
provisions of section 487.30 dealing with the notice of order 
apply in Ramsey county.  
    Sec. 18.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 488A.34, 
subdivision 9, is amended to read: 
    Subd. 9.  [COSTS AND DISBURSEMENTS ON REMOVAL.] (a) For the 
purpose of this subdivision, "removing party" means the party 
who demands removal to district court or the first party who 
serves or files a demand for removal, if another party also 
demands removal.  "Opposing party" means any party as to whom 
the removing party seeks a reversal in whole or in part.  
    (b) If the removing party prevails in district court, the 
removing party may recover costs and disbursements from the 
opposing party as though the action were commenced in district 
court.  If the removing party does not prevail, the court shall 
award the opposing party an additional $200 as costs, together 
with disbursements. 
    (c) The removing party prevails in district court if:  
    (1) the removing party recovers at least $500 or 50 percent 
of the amount or value of property that the removing party 
requested on removal, whichever is less, when the removing party 
was denied any recovery in conciliation court; 
    (2) the opposing party does not recover any amount or any 
property from the removing party in district court when the 
opposing party recovered some amount or some property in 
conciliation court; 
    (3) the removing party recovers an amount or value of 
property in district court that exceeds the amount or value of 
property that the removing party recovered in conciliation court 
by at least $500 or 50 percent, whichever is less; or 
    (4) the amount or value of property that the opposing party 
recovers from the removing party in district court is reduced 
from the amount or value of property that the opposing party 
recovered in conciliation court by at least $500 or 50 percent, 
whichever is less. 
    (d) Costs or disbursements in conciliation or district 
court shall not be considered in determining whether there was a 
recovery by either party in either court or in determining the 
difference in recovery under this subdivision.  The provisions 
of section 487.30 dealing with costs and disbursements on 
removal apply in Ramsey county. 
    Sec. 19.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 488A.34, is 
amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
    Subd. 10a.  [JUDGMENT DEBTOR DISCLOSURE.] If a cause is 
removed to the municipal court, judgment is entered by the 
municipal court and has been docketed for at least 30 days, the 
judgment is not satisfied, and the parties have not otherwise 
agreed, the municipal court shall, upon request of the judgment 
creditor, order the judgment debtor to mail to the judgment 
creditor the information on the judgment debtor's assets, 
liabilities, and personal earnings specified in section 488A.33, 
subdivision 7, on the form provided by that subdivision.  The 
remedies provided for a violation of section 488A.33, 
subdivision 7, apply to a violation of this subdivision. 
    Sec. 20.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 549.02, is 
amended to read: 
    549.02 [COSTS IN DISTRICT COURTS.] 
    In actions commenced in the district court, costs shall be 
allowed as follows: 
    To plaintiff:  (1) Upon a judgment in the plaintiff's favor 
of $100 or more in an action for the recovery of money only, 
when no issue of fact or law is joined, $5; when issue is 
joined, $10 $100.  (2) In all other actions, including an action 
by a public employee for wrongfully denied or withheld 
employment benefits or rights, except as otherwise specially 
provided, $10 $100. 
    To defendant:  (1) Upon discontinuance or dismissal, $5. 
(2) or when judgment is rendered in the defendant's favor on the 
merits, $10 $100. 
    To the prevailing party:  (1) $5.50 for the cost of filing 
a satisfaction of the judgment. 
    This section does not apply to actions removed to district 
court from conciliation court. 
    Sec. 21.  [CONCILIATION COURT JURISDICTION AMOUNTS.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [INCREASE IN LIMITS.] The conciliation 
court jurisdictional limit contained in Minnesota Statutes, 
section 487.30, subdivision 1, increases to $6,000 on July 1, 
1993, and $7,500 on July 1, 1994. 
    Subd. 2.  [REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.] The revisor of statutes 
shall make the changes in the jurisdictional amounts provided in 
subdivision 1 in Minnesota Statutes 1993 Supplement and 
subsequent editions of the statutes. 
    Sec. 22.  [REPEALER.] 
    Minnesota Statutes 1990, sections 487.30, subdivision 3; 
488A.14, subdivision 6; and 488A.31, subdivision 6, are repealed.
     Sec. 23.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
     Section 2 is effective July 1, 1992. 
    Presented to the governor April 17, 1992 
    Signed by the governor April 29, 1992, 8:29 a.m.