New Hampshire 2026 Session Status: Enacted 3 D cosponsors

SB 577 — prohibiting the use and recommending avoidance of specific color additives in meals offered or made available by public schools as a part of school breakfast and lunch meal programs.

Last action — Signed by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 270; Effective 07/01/2028

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced November 25, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Kelly Ayotte (Republican) on July 09, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 58% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 4 sponsors

    1 primary, 3 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (3 D).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill prohibits specific color additives in public school meal programs.

This legislation prohibits certain color additives from being used in meals for school breakfast and lunch programs. It aims to promote healthier eating options for students.

What this means for you
  • Families: This means that families can expect healthier meal options for their children at school without certain artificial color additives.

Summary

(New Title) prohibiting the use and recommending avoidance of specific color additives in meals offered or made available by public schools as a part of school breakfast and lunch meal programs.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

30 added · 49 removed

Plain-language change summary

The final version of Bill SB 577 now includes specific prohibitions against the use of certain red, citrus red, and orange color additives in school breakfast and lunch meals. It encourages schools to avoid additional color additives and work with food vendors wherever possible. Importantly, the bill clarifies that the restrictions do not apply to food offered outside of these meal programs, such as items brought by students or sold in vending machines. These changes aim to promote healthier meal options for students while still allowing them to enjoy a variety of foods during the school day.

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Latest
SB 577-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 14May2026...
CHAPTER 270 SB 577-FN - FINAL VERSION 14May2026...
SB 577-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES 14May2026...
CHAPTER 270 SB 577-FN - FINAL VERSION 14May2026...
1 New Paragraph;
270:1 New Paragraph;
2 Effective Date.
270:2 Effective Date.
LBA 26-2234 05/18/2026 SB 577-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2026-1778h) AN ACT prohibiting the use and recommending avoidance of specific color additives in meals offered or made available by public schools as a part of school breakfast and lunch meal programs.
Approved:
FISCAL IMPACT:
July 02, 2026 Effective Date:
Estimated Political Subdivision Impact FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 Local Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0 Indeterminable, Local Expenditures $0 $0 $0 Possibly No Impact METHODOLOGY:
July 01, 2028
This bill, effective July 1, 2028, prohibits public schools from offering foods containing certain FDA-recognized red, citrus red, and orange color additives as part of school breakfast and lunch programs.
It also encourages schools to avoid several other listed food dyes and work with vendors to transition away from them where feasible, while exempting foods sold outside regular school meal programs.
Costs to school districts to comply with this bill, if any, are indeterminable and will vary by district.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Education
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Action History

  1. Signed by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 270; Effective 07/01/2028

  2. Enrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15

  3. Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14

  4. Sen. Ward Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13

  5. Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1778h: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 17

  6. Amendment # 2026-1778h: AA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 17

  7. Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1778h (NT) 05/04/2026 (Vote 15-2; CC) HC 19 P. 12

  8. Executive Session: 05/04/2026 10:30 am GP 232

  9. Public Hearing: 03/25/2026 10:00 am GP 232

  10. Introduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 5 P. 127

  11. Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4

  12. Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 02/19/2026, Vote 5-0; SC 6

  13. Hearing: 01/20/2026, Map Room, SL, 10:00 am; SC 46

  14. ==CANCELLED== Hearing: 01/13/2026, Map Room, SL, 09:45 am; SC 45

  15. Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Education; SJ 1

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 3 co-sponsors · 411 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (3)

Not signed on (411)

411 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 411 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety education health-insurance
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 577 do?
(New Title) prohibiting the use and recommending avoidance of specific color additives in meals offered or made available by public schools as a part of school breakfast and lunch meal programs.
Who sponsors SB 577?
SB 577 is sponsored by Carry Spier (Democrat), Debra Altschiller (Democrat), Anita D Burroughs, and Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 577?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced November 25, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 577?
Track SB 577 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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