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SB 204 · 2026 · Senate · Education Committee

Free school meals eligibility

AI-generated

relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide meals to students during school hours, reimbursing schools for meals provided to students at no cost, and making an appropriation therefor.

Authorizes school boards to raise income eligibility for free school meals, requires the department of education to reimburse schools that do so, and appropriates funds for that purpose.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · January 7, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires local school districts to provide breakfast and lunch to pupils under their jurisdiction at no cost to children from households with incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. It also appropriates funds to reimburse school districts for these costs and to assist schools in establishing an online application process.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Donovan FentonDPrime
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Hearings

  • 2025-02-119:00 amSenate EducationLOB 101Public hearing
  • 2025-04-159:30 amHouse Education FundingLOB 205-207Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-05-029:30 amHouse Education FundingLOB 205-207Public hearingcancelled
  • 2025-11-131:00 pmHouse Education FundingGP 232Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2025-11-132:00 pmHouse Education FundingGP 232Public hearingrescheduled

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025SenIntroduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Education; SJ 3
  2. Feb 11, 2025SenHearing: 02/11/2025, Room 101, LOB, 09:30 am; SC 9
  3. Mar 13, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/13/2025; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 12
  4. Mar 13, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 03/13/2025; SJ 7
  5. Mar 27, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-1104s, 03/27/2025; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 14
  6. Mar 27, 2025SenCommittee Amendment # 2025-1104s, AA, VV; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  7. Mar 27, 2025SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2025-1104s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/27/2025; SJ 9
  8. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Education Funding HJ 11 P. 112
  9. Apr 15, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/15/2025 12:45 pm LOB 205-207
  10. May 2, 2025House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 05/02/2025 09:30 am LOB 205-207
  11. May 1, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 05/01/2025 01:00 pm LOB 205-207
  12. May 1, 2025HouseRetained in Committee
  13. Nov 4, 2025House==RESCHEDULED== Full Committee Work Session: 11/04/2025 01:00 pm GP 232
  14. Nov 4, 2025House==RESCHEDULED== Executive Session: 11/04/2025 02:00 pm GP 232
  15. Nov 13, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 11/13/2025 01:00 pm GP 232
  16. Nov 13, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 11/13/2025 02:00 pm GP 232
  17. Nov 13, 2025HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 11/13/2025 (Vote 9-8; RC) HC 51 P. 26
  18. Nov 20, 2025HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
  19. Jan 7, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 183-161 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 123

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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