CIVIL/PROCEDURE: Authorizes service of process by commercial courier
HB 21 amends the rules for serving legal documents in civil cases by allowing commercial couriers to deliver process to defendants. This change directly affects attorneys, court staff, and individuals involved in lawsuits who currently rely on traditional methods like sheriff service or mail. The bill removes a specific restriction that previously limited how certain documents could be served, thereby expanding the options available for notifying parties about legal actions. By updating this procedural requirement, the legislation aims to modernize how courts handle the delivery of official notices while maintaining the integrity of the legal process.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2024
Committee Review
Apr 2024
House Passage
Mar 2024
Senate Passage
May 2024
Signed into Law
May 2024
Introduced Jan 24, 2024
Signed May 23, 2024
Floor votes · Senate May 14, 2024 · House Mar 18, 2024
How they voted
35–0
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 37
May 14, 2024
D
Democratic12
91% Yea
R
Republican25
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
20
Key actions
4
Committee
5
May 14, 2024
Upper · Passed
Read by title, passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
Apr 17, 2024
Committee
Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
upper
Apr 16, 2024
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably.
upper
Mar 18, 2024
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 105, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
lower
Mar 12, 2024
Lower · Passed
Reported with amendments (11-0-1).
lower
Mar 11, 2024
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.
lower
Jan 24, 2024
Committee
Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Civil Law and Procedure.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Michael Melerine
RRepublican
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