Revision: Jan. 11, 2023, 10:35 a.m.
HB 487-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2023 SESSION
23-0362
08/05
HOUSE BILL 487-FN
AN ACT establishing a New Hampshire farm-to-school reimbursement program.
SPONSORS: Rep. Simpson, Rock. 33; Rep. M. Murray, Hills. 37; Rep. Massimilla, Graf. 1; Rep. Caplan, Merr. 8; Rep. Merchant, Sull. 6
COMMITTEE: Education
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a New Hampshire farm to school reimbursement program and makes an appropriation therefor.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
23-0362
08/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three
AN ACT establishing a New Hampshire farm-to-school reimbursement program.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subdivision; Farm to School Reimbursement Program. Amend RSA 189 by inserting after section 73 the following new subdivision:
Farm to School Reimbursement Program
189:74 Farm to School Reimbursement Program.
I. The department of education shall establish a program to reimburse school administrative units for money spent to purchase food from New Hampshire farms. Only school districts participating in the National School Lunch Program shall be eligible for reimbursement.
II. Foods purchased under this program shall originate in New Hampshire. Food purchases by school districts shall include food hub purchases, direct purchases from farms, and conventional distributor purchases. The place of origin shall be confirmed through self-attestation from the originating producer or any other means required by the federal government or the department of education, office of nutrition programs and services.
III. The department shall make rules under RSA 541-A relative to the specifications and qualifications for eligible foods including, dairy, fish, pork, beef, poultry, eggs, fruits, vegetables, cider, and maple syrup. Fluid milk shall be excluded from the program.
IV. All food purchased through the program shall comply with National School Lunch Program guidelines.
V. School districts making a claim for reimbursement shall submit a copy of the invoices for eligible purchases by the 15th of the month following their purchase. Products shall be reimbursed at 33.3 percent of cost.
VI. School districts shall return money to the schools in proportion to how much the schools paid to the school district for nutrition programs. No school shall receive total reimbursements over $1200 per year.
VII. The department shall develop an annual survey to be distributed to school districts in order to collect data to improve the program.
2 Appropriation. The sum of $195,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 is hereby appropriated to the department of education, office of nutrition programs and services, to initiate the farm to school reimbursement program. Of this sum $145,000 shall be for the hiring of a staff person to manage the program. Of this sum $50,000 shall be used to support information technology related to the program. This appropriation shall not lapse. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.
23-0362
1/5/23
HB 487-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT establishing a New Hampshire farm-to-school reimbursement program.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None
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| Estimated Increase / (Decrease) | |||
STATE: | FY 2023 | FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 |
Appropriation | $0 | $195,000 | $0 | $0 |
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Expenditures | $0 | $195,000 | $155,000 | $165,000 |
Funding Source: | [ X ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ ] Other | |||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill requires the Department of Education to establish a new program to reimburse school administrative units (SAUs) for money spent to purchase food from New Hampshire farms. Currently, the number of schools in New Hampshire which are operating the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) are 456. This bill makes a general fund appropriation of $195,000 in FY 2024 to initiate the program, with $145,000 allocated for staff and $50,000 for information technology support. The Department estimates cost for the position would be $155,000 in FY 2025 and $165,000 in FY 2026, however this bill only provides funding for the first year (FY 2024) and does not provide any funding for program activities (e.g., reimbursements).
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Education