It might be a good time to start investing in pumpkins. On Thursday, April 20, the Senate approved HB 1111, which designates the pumpkin as the official New Hampshire state fruit. Students at the Wells Memorial Elementary School in Harrisville created the bill. Sen. Bob Flanders (R-Antrim), whose district includes Harrisville, said the passage of the bill was a good civics lesson for the students.“(The) class took on a bill head on and pushed it the entire way through. They ran into staunch opposition, those (who) favored the apple and blueberry, and they pressed on nevertheless,” Flanders said in a statement after the vote. The bill now needs Gov. John Lynch’s signature to become law.

Also on April 20, the Senate voted on a string of bills designed to curb methamphetamine production in the Granite State. The Senate passed HB 1667, which restricts the over-the-counter sale of pseudophederine-based drugs, which are used as a base for meth, and HB 1745, which establishes felony penalties for those charged with meth-related crimes that take place near children and incapacitated adults. Under HB 1667, pharmacists would be required to keep pseudophederine-based cold medicines behind the counter, with sales restricted to people 18 years of age and over. In addition, anyone with the sniffles would be required to present identification and fill out a logbook detailing with their name, address, and time and date of purchase.

Up for a vote in the House on Wednesday, April 26, in the House is SB 355, which makes it illegal for a minor to consume any alcohol. Current law makes it a violation for minors to be intoxicated—however, the new law would allow authorities to charge under-21s with a violation for having as little as one or two sips of alcohol. The House Child and Family Law Committee has recommended the bill be sent out for an interim study.

“Many questions and concerns were raised, such as the value of approaches involving prevention versus punishment, parents’ role in teaching their children about responsible use of alcoholic beverages, (and) the potential for overzealous application by authorities, particularly among the 18-21 population,” Rep. Mary Stuart Gile said in the committee’s report.

The House will also vote on SB 348, which prohibits the taking of firearms and ammunition during a declared state of emergency. Sen. Peter Bragdon (R-Milford) sponsored the legislation as a response to federal authorities’ seizure of weapons during hurricane recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast. The bill enjoyed support among Senate Republicans; however, its future in the House is less clear. The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee has recommended the bill be killed.

“The committee felt that the events that predicated this bill were extreme examples that happened in New Orleans. New Hampshire gun owners are responsible people. Gun seizure of an entire town would be highly unlikely. No town or city would have the resources to enforce this law,” Rep. Gene Charron (R+D-Chester) said in the committee’s report.

Also before the full House this week is SB 190, which would establish a committee to study the inclusion of workforce housing in community zoning ordinances. The committee would be charged with finding ways for communities to adopt an “inclusionary zoning provision” in housing ordinances. These provisions would set aside a certain percentage of residential development for affordable workforce housing. The bill has the backing of the Municipal and County Government Committee.

“The majority of the committee feels that there may be a shortage of affordable housing in our state. Many misconceptions, misunderstandings, questions and concerns were raised, discussed and debated about the issue of affordable housing versus workforce housing,” said Rep. Harry Gale (R-Sunapee) in the committee’s report.