HB 2444 — Providing that jail credit when consecutive sentences are imposed shall not apply to more than one case, creating special sentencing rules when a felony is committed by certain offenders while on probation, parole or postrelease supervision for a prior felony and requiring secured minimum bonds for certain defendants who commit a new felony while on probation, parole, postrelease supervision or bond for a prior felony unless the court makes certain findings.
Last action — Approved by Governor on Monday, April 6, 2026
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed House
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✓Passed Senate
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 14, 2026. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Laura Kelly (Democratic) on April 09, 2026.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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39 sponsors
39 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (38 R).
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
818 added · 818 removedPlain-language change summary
The revised version of House Bill No. 2444 makes significant changes to how the justice system handles repeat offenders. Specifically, it establishes that individuals serving consecutive sentences can only receive jail credit for one case, and it creates stricter rules for when they can be released on their own recognizance if they commit a new felony while already on probation or parole. These changes are meant to prevent further offenses by individuals already under supervision and ensure that the legal system takes repeat offenses more seriously, which could improve public safety.
{As Amended by Senate Committee of the Whole} As Amended by Senate Committee As Amended by House Committee Session of 2026 HOUSE BILLNo.BILL No.
2444 ByAN RepresentativesACT McNorton,concerning Anderson,crimes, Barrett,punishment Blex,and Bloom,criminal Bohi,procedure; Brantley, Bryce, Buehler, Butler, Caiharr, Chauncey, Collins, Droge, Ellis, Helwig, Johnson, Long, Minnix, Neelly, Reavis, Resman, Rhiley, Roeser, Roth, Sappington, Schwertfeger, Seiwert, C.
Smith, Steele, Stiens, Sutton, Tarwater, VanHouden, Wasinger, White, K.
Williams, Wilson and Wolf 1-14 AN ACT concerning crimes, punishment and criminal procedure;
creating a special sentencing rule of presumptive imprisonment when a new felony is committed by certain offenders while in custody for a prior nondrug felony or on is probation, parole or postrelease supervision for a prior nondrug felony;
21-681821- and K.S.A.
Such date shall be established to reflect and shall be computed as an allowance for the time that the defendant has spent incarcerated pending the HBdisposition 2444—Am.of the defendant's case.
by SCW 2 disposition of the defendant's case.
(A) All sentences, whether pronounced before, on or after July 1, 2026, and to all computations of jail credit by the department of correctionsHOUSE andBILL theNo. courts;
2444—page 2 corrections and the courts;
60-1507, and HBamendments 2444—Am.thereto, pending on or filed after July 1, 2026.
by SCW 3 amendments thereto, pending on or filed after July 1, 2026.
HBHOUSE 2444—Am.BILL No.
by2444—page SCW3 4 (b) Sentences expressed in the sentencing guidelines grid for nondrug crimes represent months of imprisonment.
HB(d) The 2444—Am.sentencing guidelines grid for nondrug crimes as provided in this section defines presumptive punishments for felony convictions, subject to the sentencing court's discretion to enter a departure sentence.
by SCW 5 (d) The sentencing guidelines grid for nondrug crimes as provided in this section defines presumptive punishments for felony convictions, subject to the sentencing court's discretion to enter a departure sentence.
(A) PrisonHOUSE sentence;BILL No.
2444—page 4 (A) Prison sentence;
21-5414(c)(1)(C), 21-5823(b)(3) and (b)(4), 21-6412 and 21-6416,21- 6416, and HBamendments 2444—Am.thereto, shall be as provided by the specific mandatory sentencing requirements of that section and shall not be subject to the provisions of this section or K.S.A.
by SCW 6 amendments thereto, shall be as provided by the specific mandatory sentencing requirements of that section and shall not be subject to the provisions of this section or K.S.A.
21-5414(c)(1)(C), 21-5823(b)(3) and (b)(4), 21-6412 and 21-6416,21- 6416, and amendments thereto, shall not be served in a state facility in the custody of the secretary of corrections.
orHOUSE (B)BILL (i) hasNo. been convicted of rape, as defined in K.S.A.
2444—page 5 or (B) (i) has been convicted of rape, as defined in K.S.A.
(k) (1) If it is shown at sentencing that the offender committed any felony violation for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with any criminal street gang, with the specific intent to promote, further or assist in any criminal conduct by gang members, the offender's sentence HBshall 2444—Am.be presumed imprisonment.
by SCW 7 shall be presumed imprisonment.
2010 Supp.
21-36a01 through 21-36a17,21- 36a17, prior to their transfer, any felony violation of any provision of the uniform controlled substances act prior to July 1, 2009, or any substantially similar offense from another jurisdiction.
21-5807(a)(1)21-5807(a) (1) or (a)(2) or 21-21-5807(b), 5807(b), and amendments thereto, or any attempt or conspiracy to commit such offense, shall be presumptive imprisonment.
(o) (1) The sentence for a felony violation of theft of property as HBdefined 2444—Am.in K.S.A.
by SCW 8 defined in K.S.A.
21-21-5807(a), 5807(a), and amendments thereto;
21-5801, andHOUSE amendmentsBILL thereto,No. when such person being sentenced has one or two prior felony convictions for a violation of K.S.A.
2444—page 6 and amendments thereto, when such person being sentenced has one or two prior felony convictions for a violation of K.S.A.
21-5807(a),21- 5807(a), and amendments thereto, when such person being sentenced has one prior felony conviction for a violation of K.S.A.
21-3701, 21-371521- or 21-3716, prior to their repeal, or theft of property as defined in K.S.A.
(2) A(2) Adefendant defendant sentenced to an optional nonprison sentence under this subsection shall be supervised by community correctional services.
21-5807(a), and amendments thereto, HBwhen 2444—Am.such person being sentenced has any combination of two or more prior convictions for violations of K.S.A.
by SCW 9 when such person being sentenced has any combination of two or more prior convictions for violations of K.S.A.
The sentence under this subsection shall not be considered a departure and shall not beHOUSE subjectBILL toNo. appeal.
2444—page 7 be subject to appeal.
Show all 115 changed lines (75 more)
21-5413(c)(2), and amendments thereto, shall be presumptive imprisonment and shall be HBserved 2444—Am.consecutively to any other term or terms of imprisonment imposed.
by SCW 10 served consecutively to any other term or terms of imprisonment imposed.
21-21-4018, 4018, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A.
8-1568,8- 1568, and amendments thereto, shall be presumptive imprisonment and shall be served consecutively to any other term or terms of imprisonment imposed.
Such HBsentence 2444—Am.shall not be considered a departure and shall not be subject to appeal.
byHOUSE SCWBILL 11No. sentence shall not be considered a departure and shall not be subject to appeal.
2444—page 8 (y) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), if the trier of fact makes a finding beyond a reasonable doubt that an offender committed a nondrug felony offense, or any attempt or conspiracy, as defined in K.S.A.
21-5111(p)21-5111(p)(1) (1) and (3), and amendments thereto, while such officer was engaged in the performance of such officer's duty, or in whole or in any part because of such officer's status as a law enforcement officer, the sentence for such offense shall be:
HB(2) The 2444—Am.sentence imposed pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not be considered a departure and shall not be subject to appeal.
by SCW 12 (2) The sentence imposed pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not be considered a departure and shall not be subject to appeal.
21-6304,21- 6304, and amendments thereto, as a result of a juvenile adjudication.
21-5413(b)(1)(A) or (b)HOUSE (1)(B),BILL andNo. amendments thereto, and aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer, as defined in K.S.A.
2444—page 9 (b)(1)(B), and amendments thereto, and aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer, as defined in K.S.A.
21-6308(a)21- (1),6308(a)(1), and amendments thereto;
or (Q) any attempt, conspiracy or criminal solicitation, as defined in HBK.S.A. 2444—Am.
by SCW 13 K.S.A.
(A) Aperson(A) A person was present in the dwelling, building, structure or motor vehicle at which the offender discharged a firearm, shall be presumptive imprisonment and, in addition to the sentence imposed pursuant to the Kansas sentencing guidelines act, the offender shall be sentenced to an additional 60 months of imprisonment;
21-5408, 21-5409, 21-5411, 21-5412, 21-5413, 21-5414, 21-5415, 21-5426, 21-5427,21- 5427, 215428, 21-5429, 21-5503, 21-5504, 21-5505, 21-5506, 21-5507, 21-5508, 21-21-5509, 5509, 21-5510, 21-5515, 21-5601, 21-5602, 21-5604 or 21-5605, and amendments thereto, or any attempt or conspiracy, as defined in K.S.A.
(ii) The provisions of clause (i) requiring the court to impose a mandatoryHOUSE minimumBILL termNo. of imprisonment of 25 years shall not apply if the court finds the offender, because of the offender's criminal history HB 2444—Am.
by2444—page SCW10 14mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 25 years shall not apply if the court finds the offender, because of the offender's criminal history classification, is subject to presumptive imprisonment and the sentencing range exceeds 300 months.
(1) The judge shall consider and apply the sentencing guidelines, to impose a sentence that is proportionate to the severity of the crime of HBconviction 2444—Am.and the offender's criminal history;
by SCW 15 conviction and the offender's criminal history;
21-6608, and amendmentsHOUSE thereto.BILL No.
2444—page 11 amendments thereto.
(3) impose any other condition deemed reasonably necessary to assure appearance as required, including a condition requiring that the HBperson 2444—Am.return to custody during specified hours;
by SCW 16 person return to custody during specified hours;
(2) (A) If a person is charged with a felony, the appearance bond shall be executed with sufficient solvent sureties who are residents of the state of Kansas unless the magistrate determines by clear and convincing evidence, after a hearing at which the person charged is present,HOUSE thatBILL requiringNo. sureties is not necessary to assure the appearance of the person at the time ordered or to assure public safety.
2444—page 12 present, that requiring sureties is not necessary to assure the appearance of the person at the time ordered or to assure public safety.
HB(i) Is 2444—Am.a citizen of the United States or is an alien who is lawfully present in the United States and whose status has been verified with the federal government pursuant to 8 U.S.C.
by SCW 17 (i) Is a lawful resident of the state of Kansas citizen of the United States or is an alien who is lawfully present in the United States and whose status has been verified with the federal government pursuant to 8 U.S.C.
(ii) {is(ii) is a resident of the state of Kansas;
(iii) }has(iii) has no prior felony conviction;
(iii){(iv)} has(iv) has no prior history of failure to appear for any court appearances;
(iv){(v)} has(v) has no detainer or hold from any other jurisdiction;
(v){(vi)} has(vi) has not been extradited from and is not awaiting extradition to another state;
(vi){(vii)} has(vii) has not been detained for an alleged violation of probation;
(vii){(viii)} has(viii) has not been charged with a felony violation of K.S.A.
8-1567,8- 1567, and amendments thereto;
and (viii){(ix)} has(ix) has not been charged with an off-grid felony, a person felony or a drug severity level 1, 2 or 3 felony.
When the appearance bond has been set at $2,500 or less and the most serious charge against the person is a misdemeanor, a severity level 8, 9 or 10 nonperson felony, a drug severity level 4 felony committed prior to July 1, 2012, a drug severity level 5 felony committed on or after July 1, 2012, or a HBviolation 2444—Am.of K.S.A.
by SCW 18 violation of K.S.A.
(2) {is(2) is a resident of the state of Kansas;
(3) }has(3) has a criminal history score category of G, H or I;
(3){(4)} has(3)(4) has no prior history of failure to appear for any court appearances;
(4){(5)} has(4)(5) has no detainer or hold from any other jurisdiction;
(5){(6)} has(5)(6) has not been extradited from, and is not awaiting extradition to, another state;
and (6){(7)} has(6)(7) has not been detained for an alleged violation of probation.
(f) Except as provided in subsection subsections (c) and (q), in the discretion ofHOUSE theBILL court,No. a person charged with a crime may be released upon the person's own recognizance by guaranteeing payment of the amount of the bond for the person's failure to comply with all requirements to appear in court.
2444—page 13 of the court, a person charged with a crime may be released upon the person's own recognizance by guaranteeing payment of the amount of the bond for the person's failure to comply with all requirements to appear in court.
(j) A person for whom conditions of release are imposed and who continues to be detained as a result of the person's inability to meet the HBconditions 2444—Am.of release shall be entitled, upon application, to have the conditions reviewed without unnecessary delay by the magistrate who imposed them.
by SCW 19 conditions of release shall be entitled, upon application, to have the conditions reviewed without unnecessary delay by the magistrate who imposed them.
(k) A(k) Amagistrate magistrate ordering the release of a person on any conditions specified in this section may at any time amend the order to impose additional or different conditions of release.
21-6604, and amendmentsHOUSE thereto,BILL theNo. court may impose the full amount of any such costs in addition to the $15 per week, including, but not limited to, costs for treatment and evaluation under subsection (b).
2444—page 14 amendments thereto, the court may impose the full amount of any such costs in addition to the $15 per week, including, but not limited to, costs for treatment and evaluation under subsection (b).
21-21-5503, 5503, and amendments thereto, criminal sodomy or aggravated criminal sodomy, as described in K.S.A.
21-5506, and HBamendments 2444—Am.thereto, the magistrate shall determine prior convictions of such offenses or comparable out-of-state convictions upon available evidence.
by SCW 20 amendments thereto, the magistrate shall determine prior convictions of such offenses or comparable out-of-state convictions upon available evidence.
(q) (1) If the affidavit establishes probable cause that the person was on probation, parole, postrelease supervision or bond for a prior felony offense at the time of the alleged commission of a charged felony offense and the person's criminal history score under the Kansas sentencing guidelines act was previously established as A, B, C, D or E, except as provided in subsection (q)(2), the personcourt shall notset bea releasedsecured uponappearance thebond person'sin ownan recognizance.amount not less than:
except(A) $50,000 asif providedthe inmost subsectionserious (q)(2),charge against the courtperson shallis set a securedseverity appearancelevel bond7, in8, an9 amountor not10 lessfelony than:or a drug severity level 4 or 5 felony;
(A) $100,000 $50,000(B) $100,000 if the most serious charge against the person is a severity level 7,4, 8,5 9 or 106 felony or a drug severity level 43 or 5 felony;
(B) $250,000 $100,000and (C) $250,000 if the most serious charge against the person is a severity level 4,1, 52 or 63 felony or a drug severity level 31 felony;or 2 felony.
and(2) (C) $500,000 $250,000(A) ifExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), such bond shall not be reduced or modified downward unless the mostmagistrate seriousdetermines chargeby againsta preponderance of the personevidence isat an evidentiary hearing and makes a severitywritten levelfinding 1,on 2the orrecord 3that felonythe ordefendant is not a drugpublic severitysafety levelrisk 1and ornot 2a felony.flight risk.
(2) TheAt courtsuch mayevidentiary sethearing, athere securedshall appearancebe bonda inpresumption anthat amount less than the minimumdefendant amountis requiredboth bya subsectionpublic (q)(1)safety onlyrisk uponand written,a case-specificflight findingsrisk. that:
(A) A lesser secured appearance bond will reasonably assure the safety of the community and the person's appearance;
and (B) application of the minimum amount requirement would be excessive under the circumstances.
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), such bond shall not be reduced or modified downward unless the magistrate determines by a preponderance of the evidence at an evidentiary hearing and makes a written finding on the record that the defendant is not a public safety risk and not a flight risk.
At such evidentiary hearing, there shall be a presumption HB 2444—Am.
by SCW 21 that the defendant is both a public safety risk and a flight risk.
Sec.HOUSE BILL No.
2444—page 15 Sec.
I hereby certify that the above ILL originated in the House, and passed that body H OUSE concurred in SENATE amendments __________________________________________________________________ Speaker of the House.
Chief Clerk of the House.
Passed the SENATE as amended President of the Senate.
Secretary of the Senate.
A PPROVED ______________________________________________________________________________ Governor.
Show all 115 changed rows (75 more)
View plain text versions (5)
- Enrolled View text Current pdf
- Amended {As Amended by Senate Committee of the Whole} pdf
- Amended As Amended by Senate Committee on Judiciary pdf
- Amended As Amended by House Committee pdf
- Introduced As Introduced pdf
Action History
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Approved by Governor on Monday, April 6, 2026
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Enrolled and presented to Governor on Friday, March 27, 2026
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Engrossed on Tuesday, March 24, 2026
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Concurred with amendments; Yea 85, Nay 37, Absent 3
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Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea 34, Nay 6
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Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
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Committee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by Sen. Doug Shane
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Committee of the Whole - Amendment by Sen. Doug Shane was adopted
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Committee of the Whole - Be passed as further amended
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Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by Senate Committee on Judiciary
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Referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary
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Received and Introduced
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Engrossed on Thursday, February 19, 2026
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Final Action - Passed as amended; Yea 88, Nay 36, Absent 1
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Committee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
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Committee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
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Committee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by House Committee on Judiciary
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Introduced
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Referred to House Committee on Judiciary
Sponsors
- Dawn Wolf · Primary
- Kristey Williams · Primary
- Gary White · Primary
- Barb Wasinger · Primary
- Chip VanHouden · Primary
- Sean Tarwater · Primary
- Bill Sutton · Primary
- Angela Stiens · Primary
- Megan Steele · Primary
- Chuck Smith · Primary
- Joe Seiwert · Primary
- Kevin Schwertfeger · Primary
- Webster T. Roth · Primary
- Bill Rhiley · Primary
- John Resman · Primary
- Allen Reavis · Primary
- Lance W. Neelly · Primary
- Jim Minnix · Primary
- Marty Long · Primary
- Timothy Johnson · Primary
- Dale Helwig · Primary
- Ronald Ellis · Primary
- Duane Droge · Primary
- Kenneth Collins · Primary
- Shawn Chauncey · Primary
- Nathan Butler · Primary
- David Buehler · Primary
- Ron Bryce · Primary
- Sherri Brantley · Primary
- Lauren Bohi · Primary
- Lewis "Bill" Bloom · Primary
- Doug Blex · Primary
- Avery Anderson · Primary
- Kyle McNorton · Primary
- Carolyn Caiharr · Primary
- Angelina Roeser · Primary
- Greg Wilson · Primary
- Bradley Barrett · Primary
- Courtney Sappington · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →39 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 126 not signed on
Sponsors (39)
- Dawn Wolf Republican
- Kristey Williams Republican
- Gary White Republican
- Barb Wasinger Republican
- Chip VanHouden Republican
- Sean Tarwater Republican
- Bill Sutton Republican
- Angela Stiens Republican
- Megan Steele Republican
- Chuck Smith Republican
- Joe Seiwert Republican
- Kevin Schwertfeger Republican
- Webster T. Roth Republican
- Bill Rhiley Republican
- John Resman
- Allen Reavis Republican
- Lance W. Neelly Republican
- Jim Minnix Republican
- Marty Long Republican
- Timothy Johnson Republican
- Dale Helwig Republican
- Ronald Ellis Republican
- Duane Droge Republican
- Kenneth Collins Republican
- Shawn Chauncey Republican
- Nathan Butler Republican
- David Buehler Republican
- Ron Bryce Republican
- Sherri Brantley Republican
- Lauren Bohi Republican
- Lewis "Bill" Bloom Republican
- Doug Blex Republican
- Avery Anderson Republican
- Kyle McNorton Republican
- Carolyn Caiharr Republican
- Angelina Roeser Republican
- Greg Wilson Republican
- Bradley Barrett Republican
- Courtney Sappington Republican
Co-sponsors (0)
None.
Not signed on (126)
126 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 126 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors HB 2444?
- HB 2444 is sponsored by Dawn Wolf (Republican), Kristey Williams (Republican), Gary White (Republican), Barb Wasinger (Republican), Chip VanHouden (Republican), Sean Tarwater (Republican), Bill Sutton (Republican), Angela Stiens (Republican), Megan Steele (Republican), Chuck Smith (Republican), Joe Seiwert (Republican), Kevin Schwertfeger (Republican), Webster T. Roth (Republican), Bill Rhiley (Republican), John Resman, Allen Reavis (Republican), Lance W. Neelly (Republican), Jim Minnix (Republican), Marty Long (Republican), Timothy Johnson (Republican), Dale Helwig (Republican), Ronald Ellis (Republican), Duane Droge (Republican), Kenneth Collins (Republican), Shawn Chauncey (Republican), Nathan Butler (Republican), David Buehler (Republican), Ron Bryce (Republican), Sherri Brantley (Republican), Lauren Bohi (Republican), Lewis "Bill" Bloom (Republican), Doug Blex (Republican), Avery Anderson (Republican), Kyle McNorton (Republican), Carolyn Caiharr (Republican), Angelina Roeser (Republican), Greg Wilson (Republican), Bradley Barrett (Republican), and Courtney Sappington (Republican).
- What is the current status of HB 2444?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 14, 2026. Enacted.
- Where can I track HB 2444?
- Track HB 2444 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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