House education funding committee retains school-meals bill, advances special-education aid and backs amended EFA expansion

The New Hampshire House Education Funding Committee met in executive session and retained HB 204, a bill to reimburse local school districts for meals provided to students at no cost, moved SB 292 (special-education aid) forward with a committee amendment, and recommended SB 295 (Education Freedom Accounts) to the House floor as amended by 1857-h.

Committee members debated HB 204 at length before voting to retain the measure for further work. The bill would authorize state reimbursement to local districts that provide no-cost meals to eligible students; sponsors described it as an opt-in, shared-cost program designed to target aid to students between roughly 75% and 200% of the federal poverty guideline. Tim Ruhr, business administrator for the Keene School District, testified that the draft bill aims to limit wasteful charging and better target limited state funds. “It’s designed to save overall tax money and actually target our aid to those who need it most,” Ruhr said, adding his year‑one estimate of roughly $250,000 statewide and an example showing Keene’s local-state share around $8,500.

Supporters urged the committee to move HB 204 forward, saying feeding students improves learning and that the fiscal note likely overstates costs by assuming every eligible student will take both meals each school day. Opponents of immediate passage argued the committee needs more information before final action; after debate the committee voted to retain the bill for further work.

The committee also acted on SB 292, a bill authorizing a warrant for funding state special-education aid. Committee members adopted amendment 1802-h, described by the sponsor as matching earlier committee language and maintaining an 80% floor in proration scenarios. The panel reported SB 292 as ought-to-pass as amended and will…