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ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session

 

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2244

 

evictions; satisfaction of judgments

Purpose

Outlines requirements that apply when a landlord fails to respond to a motion to compel satisfaction of a judgment following an eviction action.

Background

Justices of the peace have concurrent jurisdiction with the superior court in cases of forcible entry and detainer when the amount involved, exclusive of interest, costs and awarded attorney fees is $10,000 or less. The prevailing party to an action to enforce claims or judgments must file a satisfaction of judgment in the superior or justice court within 40 days of the judgment being paid in full. If the prevailing party fails to file a satisfaction of judgment or cannot be located as prescribed, the opposing party may file a motion to compel satisfaction of the judgment with an affidavit that evidences proof of payment, and if necessary, the attempts to locate the prevailing party. The judgment is deemed satisfied if the motion is granted. A judge or justice of the peace may hold a hearing on the motion to compel satisfaction of the judgment and may compel the moving party to post a bond with the court in the amount of the judgment (A.R.S. §§ 12-1567;
22-201; and 22-247).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1.   Stipulates that, if a landlord fails to respond to a motion to compel satisfaction of a judgment following an eviction action within 15 days after the motion is filed, the:

a)   fee for filing the motion to compel satisfaction of the judgment is waived;

b)   judge or justice of the peace may not hold a hearing on the motion;

c)   judgment is deemed satisfied if the tenant submits proof of payment; and

d)   judge must issue an order sealing all records relating to the eviction action, or if the motion was filed in the justice court, the justice of the peace, at the justice of the peace's discretion, may seal the eviction if the justice of the peace believes that sealing the record is an appropriate remedy based on the landlord's failure to comply with the motion to compel satisfaction.

2.   Becomes effective on the general effective date.

House Action

COM               2/17/26      DPA    10-0-0-1

3rd Read          2/26/26                  51-0-9

Prepared by Senate Research

March 20, 2026

ZD/KS/ci