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HB 1574 · 2026 · House · Education Funding Committee

Extending free school meal eligibility

AI-generated

(Second New Title) relative to the extension of the free and reduced price breakfast and lunch programs and supporting administrative costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and making appropriations therefor.

Authorizes school boards to extend free and reduced-price meal eligibility to students with an individualized education program who remain enrolled past age 21, directs state reimbursement of school boards from the general fund, and appropriates funds for related SNAP administrative costs.AI-generated

Status

Died — conference committee did not agree · June 2, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill authorizes school boards to extend free and reduced meal program eligibility for students with an individualized education program (IEP) that are already age 21 but attending school until the age of 22. The bill also directs the state to reimburse school boards from the general fund for free and reduced price meals for such eligible students.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Toni WeinsteinDPrime
  • Rep. Patricia CornellDRanking Member· Education Policy

Also: Rep. Loren SeligD, Rep. Carrie SorensenD

Public testimony

91 signed in online · 16 wrote testimony

98% support2% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“The Members of the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities believe this will could have a positive effect on the NH disability community. Various studies have shown that children who are able to get an adequate amount of nutrients during their day perform better in school.…”
— Chase Eagleson, Concord · Members of the NH Council on Developmental Disabilitiessupports
“All children need to have access to free and reduced lunch benefits including special education students.”
— Marie Straiton, Pembrokesupports
“I firmly support funding food for hungry school students of any age.”
— Lisa Day-Copeland, Camptonsupports

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-159:30 amHouse Education FundingGP 232Public hearing
  • 2026-02-0312:45 pmHouse Education FundingGP 232Public hearing
  • 2026-03-109:15 amSenate EducationSL Map RoomPublic hearing
  • 2026-04-141:30 pmSenate FinanceSH 103Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Funding HJ 1 P. 26
  2. Jan 15, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/15/2026 09:30 am GP 232
  3. Feb 3, 2026House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 02/03/2026 12:45 pm GP 232
  4. Feb 10, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/10/2026 12:45 pm GP 232
  5. Feb 10, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0632h (NT) 02/10/2026 (Vote 17-1; RC) HC 7 P. 26
  6. Feb 11, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  7. Feb 19, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-0632h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 44
  8. Feb 19, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-0632h: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 44
  9. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 44
  10. Feb 19, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 112
  11. Feb 19, 2026SenIntroduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 5
  12. Mar 10, 2026SenHearing: 03/10/2026, Room Map Room, SL, 09:30 am; SC 9
  13. Mar 26, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/26/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
  14. Mar 26, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  15. Apr 14, 2026SenHearing: 04/14/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:30 pm, on proposed non-germane amendment # 2026-1330s; SC 14
  16. May 7, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1607s, 05/07/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 17
  17. May 7, 2026SenHB 1574 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 05/07/2026; SJ 11
  18. May 14, 2026SenSpecial Order to 05/14/2026, Without Objection, MA; 05/07/2026 SJ 11
  19. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1607, 05/14/2026, Vote 7-0; SJ 11
  20. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1607s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  21. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1607s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  22. May 14, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1607s and Requests CofC (Rep. Ladd): MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 149
  23. May 14, 2026HouseSpeaker Appoints: Reps. Ladd, Erf, Popovici-Muller, Luneau 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 149
  24. May 14, 2026SenSen. Ward Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  25. May 14, 2026SenPresident Appoints: Senators Gray, Ward, Rosenwald; (In Recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  26. May 26, 2026HouseConference Committee Meeting: 05/26/2026 11:00 am GP 234
  27. Jun 2, 2026SenConference Committee Report; Not Signed Off; SJ 14

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.