HB 1574-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
19Feb2026... 0632h
2026 SESSION
26-2877
12/08
HOUSE BILL 1574-FN
SPONSORS: Rep. Weinstein, Rock. 10; Rep. Cornell, Hills. 22; Rep. Selig, Straf. 10; Rep. Sorensen, Rock. 28
COMMITTEE: Education Funding
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill extends breakfast and lunch aid for all students that are the age of 21 who previously qualified for the National School Lunch Program or National School Breakfast Program at the age of 20. The bill also permits participating schools as eligible to receive reimbursements for school breakfasts and lunches that are provided to qualifying students and makes an appropriation for such purpose.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
19Feb2026... 0632h 26-2877
12/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Statement of Findings. The general court finds that:
I. The state of New Hampshire recognizes the importance of supporting the health and nutritional needs of special education students with disabilities who, under recent changes by the department of education, may continue their education beyond the age of 21.
II. The current system does not provide access to free and reduced lunch benefits at age 21, creating barriers to access and potentially compromising the well-being of these students.
2 New Paragraph; Free and Reduced Meals Expanded for Students Over 21. Amend RSA 189:11-a by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:
I-a.(a) Any student who is 21 years of age, enrolled in their resident school district or a chartered public school, and who qualified for the National School Lunch Program or the National School Breakfast Program at age 20 shall remain eligible to receive breakfasts and lunches at rates consistent with applicable federal standards until the earliest of the following occurs:
(1) The student reaches 22 years of age;
(2) The student graduates from school;
(3) The student withdraws from school; or
(4) The student otherwise completes the student’s educational program.
(b) All public school districts and chartered public schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program or the National School Breakfast Program shall be eligible for reimbursement for breakfasts and lunches served to qualifying students at the reimbursement rates established under each applicable federal program by the department of education consistent with this section.
(c) For any meal served to a qualifying student under this paragraph, reimbursement shall first be sought under the applicable federal National School Lunch Program or National School Breakfast Program to the maximum extent permitted by federal law. State reimbursement shall be available only for meals that are not eligible for federal reimbursement. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to permit duplicate reimbursement for the same meal.
(d) The department of education shall include, in its biennial budget and in each subsequent budget submission, a specific request for funding sufficient to carry out the provisions of this section. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant from the education trust fund to satisfy the state’s obligation under this paragraph.
(e) The state board of education may adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A relative to the administration of extended breakfast and lunch aid under this paragraph.
3 Appropriation. There is hereby appropriated the sum of $80,000 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027 to the department of education for the purpose of implementing and administering the extended school meal eligibility and reimbursement program established under this act. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant from the education trust fund to satisfy the state’s obligation under this act the amount not otherwise appropriated.
4 Applicability. RSA 189:11-a as inserted in section 2 of this act shall apply to all eligible students enrolled beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
26-2877
03/20/2026
HB 1574-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2026-0632h)
FISCAL IMPACT:
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| ||||
Estimated State Impact | |||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | |
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
Revenue Fund(s) | None | ||||
Expenditures* | $0 | Up to $145,000 Per Year | |||
Funding Source(s) | Education Trust Fund | ||||
Appropriations* | $0 | Education Trust Fund Statutory Open Warrant for Reimbursements
General Fund $80,000 in FY 2027 for Implementation/Admin Costs (Department Identified No Applicable Costs)
| |||
Funding Source(s) | General Fund and Education Trust Fund | ||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | |||||
| |||||
Estimated Political Subdivision Impact | |||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | |
Local Revenue | $0 | Up to $145,000 Per Year | |||
Local Expenditures | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
METHODOLOGY:
This bill, effective July 1, 2026 (for the 2026-2027 school year), expands eligibility for free or reduced-price school breakfasts and lunches to students who are age 21 if they were eligible for the federal meal programs at age 20. These students remain eligible until they turn 22, graduate, withdraw, or complete their educational program. School districts and chartered public schools may receive federal reimbursement first, with state reimbursement available only for meals not eligible for federal funding. The Department of Education has provided assumptions and an estimate as to this bill’s potential fiscal impact:
Assumptions
Fiscal Impact
To provide reimbursement for free or reduced priced meals served to students aged 21 to 22 would cost approximately $144,645 (maximum) per year utilizing the current data.
This bill provides a statutory open warrant from the education trust fund to satisfy the state’s reimbursement under this bill.
In addition, this bill makes a general fund appropriation of $80,000 in FY 2027 to implement and administer the program. The Department has not identified any costs associated with administering this bill.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Education
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| March 25, 2026 | 2026-0632h |
| April 10, 2026 | 2026-1330s |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 15, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| Feb. 3, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| Feb. 10, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| Feb. 10, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
| March 10, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| March 12, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| Senate | Floor Vote | |
| April 14, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
April 9, 2026: Hearing: 04/14/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:30 pm, on proposed non-germane amendment # 2026-1330s; SC 14
March 24, 2026: Ought to Pass: MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
March 18, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/26/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
March 12, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/26/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 11
March 3, 2026: Hearing: 03/10/2026, Room Map Room, SL, 09:30 am; SC 9
Feb. 25, 2026: Introduced 02/19/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 5
Feb. 19, 2026: Referral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 02/19/2026 HJ 5
Feb. 19, 2026: Referred to Finance 02/19/2026 HJ 5
Feb. 19, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-0632h: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5
Feb. 19, 2026: Amendment # 2026-0632h: AA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5
Feb. 11, 2026: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
Feb. 11, 2026: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0632h (NT) 02/10/2026 (Vote 17-1; RC) HC 7 P. 26
Feb. 11, 2026: Executive Session: 02/10/2026 12:45 pm GP 232
Jan. 28, 2026: ==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 02/03/2026 12:45 pm GP 232
Jan. 8, 2026: Public Hearing: 01/15/2026 09:30 am GP 232
Dec. 10, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Funding HJ 1 P. 26