* If you're like Washington state Rep. Joel Kretz, you're sick and tired of having to jump through bureaucratic hoops every time you want to relocate a wild beaver to your property and put it to work building dams or doing whatever else beavers do. To solve the problem, Kretz proposed a bill that would allow landowners to adopt nuisance beavers. The bill passed unanimously, although, in the interest of full disclosure, it's worth noting that there aren't any beavers serving in the legislature. Governor Christine Gregoire vetoed the legislation, but she did promise to instruct wildlife officials to get a relocation program started.
* Missouri state Sen. Bill Alter proposed legislation to ban the selling of beer that was refrigerated at less than 60 degrees. The measure was designed to discourage drunk driving, based on the premise that no one wants to drink warm beer. Critics called the idea childish and they were right. Alter got the idea from 11-year-old Kristin Bogert, who was the winner of a contest where fifth graders proposed legislation to him. How exactly little Kristen knew that warm beer tastes bad remains a mystery.
More quirkiness after the jump!
* Ohio state Sen. Bob Hagan offered a bill to ban adoption by a group he regards as ethically suspect and unsuitable as parents: Republicans. Hagan's suggestion was designed to mock a Republican bill to ban gays from adopting or serving as foster parents. The takeaway message: It's a bad time to be a gay Republican in Ohio.
* Arizona has a border problem that Sen. Robert Cannell is intent on fixing. He's concerned about American minors crossing into Mexico to drink. His solution: legislation empowering local governments to pass laws preventing minors from entering Mexico. The Senate approved the bill in March. If it becomes law, a few years from now Mexican lawmakers will be debating whether to get tough on American illegal immigration or implement a guest drinker program.
