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MaineLD 2017132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)House

An Act to Update Certain Statutes Governing School Nutrition

Sponsored By: Kelly Murphy (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

SCHOOL PROGRAMSSCHOOL PROGRAMS - NUTRITION PROGRAMS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

More schools must offer after-start breakfast

If at least 50% of a school’s students qualified for free or reduced-price lunch last year, the school must run breakfast after the day starts. Breakfast must be offered after school begins and before any lunch period. Each year by July 1, the Department posts which schools had to comply and which were exempt. The posting shows the service used, participation rate, and the financial impact on the school nutrition budget.

Apply for school meals online or on paper

The Department of Education can provide an online application for free or reduced-price school meals. Schools may host the form, and all schools must accept online submissions. Each school processes its own online applications and makes eligibility decisions. The Department does not see your application data; it goes straight to the school or deciding agency. Schools still give paper applications to every student, and the online form should be clear and in multiple languages when possible.

Small cut to state education budget

The law cuts $250,000 from the Department of Education’s School Finance and Operations budget in fiscal year 2026-27. There is no change in 2025-26. The law also removes one paragraph from the school nutrition statute; the text does not state the practical effect. This is a small, one-time budget trim tied to the online application change.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kelly Murphy

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 74 • No: 68

House vote • 3/5/2026

ACC OTP-AM BY CA "A"

Yes: 74 • No: 68

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 717

    4/15/2026

  2. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table. Subsequently, PASSED TO BE ENACTED in concurrence.

    4/13/2026Senate

  3. On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence.

    3/18/2026Senate

  4. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/17/2026House

  5. COMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-829), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    3/12/2026Senate

  6. Reports READ. On motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York The Majority Ought to Pass As Amended Report ACCEPTED. Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (H-829) READ and ADOPTED. ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.

    3/10/2026Senate

  7. Reports READ.On motion of Representative MURPHY of Scarborough, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.ROLL CALL NO. 636(Yeas 74 - Nays 68 - Absent 7 - Excused 1 - Vacant 1)The Bill was READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-829) was READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-829). Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/5/2026House

  8. Received by the Clerk of the House on December 3, 2025.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 401.

    12/3/2025House

Bill Text

  • Amendment C-A (H-829), adopted by House & Senate

    PDF

  • Enacted

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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