Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

SB 517 · 2026 · Senate · Education Committee

Free school meals reimbursement funding

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 eligibility for free student meals, requires the department of education to reimburse schools that raise eligibility, and appropriates funds for that purpose.AI-generated

Status

Died on the table in the Senate · March 12, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕Senate
  3. House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill authorizes school boards to raise eligibility for free meals, requires the department of education to reimburse schools who raise eligibility, and provides an appropriation therefor.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the Senate. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Each school board may vote to raise eligibility for free meals to 200 percent of the federal poverty level.”
Section 1
“The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.”
Section 2
“Meals served to students who meet the federal income eligibility guidelines shall continue to be reimbursed in accordance with federal law and regulations.”
Section 1
“Meals not reimbursed in accordance with federal law and regulations shall be reimbursed by the state of New Hampshire at a rate that covers 50 percent of the difference between the federal rate for a free meal and a reduced price meal, or the difference between a free meal and a paid meal.”
Section 1

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

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingSenate Educationfrom 58:36located in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateSenate floor59:16–1:04:525m 36slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1158s — adopted, voice vote; Sen. Lang Floor Amendment # 2026-1158s — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 1
  2. Jan 27, 2026SenHearing: 01/27/2026, Room Map Room, SL, 10:00 am; SC 3
  3. Feb 19, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 6
  4. Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  5. Mar 12, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/12/2026, Vote 7-0; SC 9
  6. Mar 12, 2026SenSen. Lang Floor Amendment # 2026-1158s, AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  7. Mar 12, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1158s, MA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  8. Mar 12, 2026SenSen. Lang Moved Laid on Table, MA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  9. Mar 12, 2026SenPending Motion OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Background reading

Evergreen reading on the policy area — spanning perspectives — not coverage of this specific bill.

  • Summer EBTPrimary source

    USDA Food and Nutrition Service — The federal program, including the streamlined-certification provision the data sharing rests on.AI-generated

  • Summer nutrition programsAdvocacy

    Food Research & Action Center — Participation gaps and why automatic enrollment matters to reach.AI-generated

  • National School Lunch ProgramPrimary source

    USDA Food and Nutrition Service — The free and reduced-price eligibility determination that Summer EBT enrollment now piggybacks on.AI-generated

Documents (PDF)

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