SB 204-FN-A (2026): 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.

SB 204-FN-A (2026)

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.

• Status: Killed
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Education Funding
• Senate committee: Education
• Subject: Education - General

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the Senate Education committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 11, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 13, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted unanimously, 6–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-1104s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-1104s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 27, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 27, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 27, 2025 and was referred to the House Education Funding committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 15, 2025, with 512 people signed in online: 493 in support, 18 in opposition and 1 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on May 1, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee held a work session on November 13, 2025. The committee met in executive session on November 13, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House kill it, and the minority recommended that the House pass it, by a vote of 9–8. The report was placed on the regular calendar. On January 7, 2026 the House voted to kill it on a roll call 183–161.

Sponsors

• Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 11, 2025, 9:30 AM: hearing, Senate Education, LOB 101
• March 13, 2025: floor debate, Senate
• March 27, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
• April 15, 2025, 12:45 PM: public hearing, House Education Funding, LOB 205-207
• May 1, 2025, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Education Funding, LOB 205-207
• November 13, 2025, 1:00 PM: full committee work session, House Education Funding, GP 232
• November 13, 2025, 2:00 PM: executive session, House Education Funding, GP 232
• January 7, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 13, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• March 27, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1104s — voice vote, passed
• January 7, 2026, House: Inexpedient to Legislate — yeas 183, nays 161, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 189:11-a

Related Bills

• HB 143 (2025): criminalizing and creating a private right of action for the facilitation, encouragement, offer, solicitation, or recommendation of certain acts or actions through a responsive generative communication to a child.
• HB 1499-FN (2026): relative to additional grounds for eviction under the landlord and tenant statute, relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide meals to students during school hours, and reimbursing schools for meals provided to students at no cost and making an appropriation therefor.
• SB 517-FN (2026): 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.
• SB 517-FN (2026): 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.
• HB 1499-FN (2026): relative to additional grounds for eviction under the landlord and tenant statute, relative to the responsibility of local school districts to provide meals to students during school hours, and reimbursing schools for meals provided to students at no cost and making an appropriation therefor.

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 9
• SC 12
• SC 14
• HC 51, page 26
• HJ 1, page 123