Milking someone else's cow. Hopefully no one enforces it, or that could be a long train ride. If youre in Dennison or Bristol, Texas, try not to adjust your stockings in public. You can legally marry someone by stating it out loud. The Alamo plays a significant part in Texas history; it is at this site in 1836 that a small contingent of Texan soldiers stood their ground against an invading Mexican army led by General Santa Anna. Which makes senseif youre trying to prevent drinking and driving, its only sensible to make it illegal for drivers to drive with alcohol in reach. Theres a law in Lubbock stating that it is illegal to drive within arms length of alcohol. Read theCraziest Laws in the United States, if you want more. The entire set of books is banned in Texas, and it all comes down to one thing beer. Texas has had a total of eight changes of government with the first being the French: 1519-1685, French 1685-1690, Spanish 1690-1821, Mexican 1821-1836, Republic of Texas 1836-1845, United States 1845-1861, Confederate States 1861-1865, United States 1865 present day. It's illegal to milk someone else's cow, and you can incur . We hope you wont need to take a rest as youre walking around Galveston. Info? For the weirdest laws, you really have to take a long look at some of the ordinances passed by local governments throughout the state. Colorful lawmen and hard-line justice are part of Texas DNA. The law was passed in 1951 and seeks to reduce fire accidents caused by mishandling of flammable material by untrained personnel, and anyone violating this law is liable for a $500 fine. ", If you want your fortune told, you won't find it in Yamhill, Oregon. Possibly one of the strangest laws in Texas. Texas has ten of the 21 counties in the United States in which more than a fifth of residents are inmates, according to the Prison Policy Initiative. In Texas, you can legally marry someone if you publicly proclaim that the person is your husband or wife three times. In the Lone Star State, the blind or partially sighted are allowed to legally hunt, so long as they are accompanied by a person who has good eyesight. With its reputation for rugged individualism, you might think that a state like Texas would be lacking when it came to weird laws. Blasphemy laws used to be very common in the United States, but there are still some in existence, including in . Weve compiled a list of eight more weird laws from the state of Texas. Except this law technically applies to alcohol in someone elses bloodstream. Any person who sits on a sidewalk may be fined up to $500 in Texas. Texas is the home of three NBA teams: the Dallas Mavericks, the Houston Rockets, and the San Antonio Spurs. Announce it 3 times in public instead! An ordinance was passed that makes doing so an offense punishable by a fine (per Stupid Laws). Initially, the Spanish referred to it as Tejas and the name later changed to Texas. No 'lewd and lascivious' behavior before marriage, No hunting on Sundays, unless you're killing raccoons, No forbidding people from putting up clotheslines, You can't hold public office if you've been in a duel, Biting off someone's limb could earn you 20 years in prison, If your dangerous animal escapes, you have to report it to the authorities, You need permission to exterminate a pigeon, No mask wearing, unless you're at a party, No bulletproof vests while committing murder, Pregnant women can technically commit murder, No marriage if you have a venereal disease, Live entertainment must remain on stage while performing, Its a crime to have more than one illegitimate child, You must sing the national anthem correctly, No dancing at a bar that sells alcohol - unless the bar has a permit, It's illegal to dye baby chicks, other fowls or rabbits, Cannibalism is illegal (except in extreme circumstances), Town records can't be kept where liquor is sold, No eating frogs that die in frog-jumping contests, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Some of the bills . Thats how you end up with a law like this one from Texarkana: its only legal to ride your horse at night if it has taillights. Make sure you've got your wits about you when singing the national anthem in Massachusetts. Bigfoot hunters, beware. Not to worry though, you can get a permit for about $5, and then youre free to live your best no-shoes life. The phrase Remember the Alamo originated in Alamo, San Antonio where Texas defenders were defeated by the Mexican general, Santa Anna in the Texas revolution. Allegedly, it came from a time when ranchers disputed over open ranges vs. fencing off their land. But then there is this mystery: Why would Clarendon prohibit the feather dusting of a public building? If you sit on a sidewalk there, you could get fined $500. It is illegal to milk another persons cow. Besides these, Colorado has ongoing employment opportunities in aviation,, Read More The 10 Cheapest Places to Live in ColoradoContinue. When she's not running around with friends, she's at home with the most obnoxious cat ever. As it turns out, although Texas does not require driving with a windshield (allowing owners of vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler or Jeep Gladiator to fold down their windshields), Texas does require windshield wipers. There were many new laws that went into effect with the new year. Most Texans support the American governments stance on gun control under certain circumstances and they have similar views as the rest of America. Most At Risk of a Climate Change Disaster, Why You Should Consider Investing in Brookings, OR Real Estate, The 20 Worst Places to Live in New Jersey, The 10 Best Places to Live in the Tennessee Mountains, The 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Colorado, According to houston-criminalattorney.com, 20 Bizarre But Real Laws that Exist in New York, 20 Weird Utah Laws that are Actually Real, The 20 Weirdest Laws to Come from Tennessee, 20 Weird Laws in Alabama You Wont Believe are True, 20 Countries With the Least Amount of Debt, The 10 Most Expensive Skateboards in the World, The 10 Best Ducati Motorcycles of All-Time. Those laws are generally built on custom and and are enforced to ensure public safety. The law is a powerful thing. Cynthia Cooper is the only player in the history of the United States to have won the WNBA Championship MVP. Need ideas? E: info@urbanmatter.com Read More: Austin Releases a COVID-19 Plan to Restore Events This Year. In Utah, it's illegal to "cause a catastrophe." Texas has one of the Worlds most impressive wind power farms which fuels the states own power grid. Under Texas statutes, a person may not leave a vehicle unattended without stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key from the ignition, setting the parking brake effectively and, if standing on a slope, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway. At the Olympic games held in Rio in 2016, Simone Biles scooped four gold medals and one bronze medal. Fortunately, neither do the authorities, so youre unlikely to get into too much trouble if you cant resist a little light dusting. Experts suggest that at some point in the very near future, every American will be affected, whether through floods, heatwaves,, Read More States in the U.S. Today, that same law is used to rob maritime workers of their right to recovery after their employers sail them into hurricanes or leave them stranded in life-threatening conditions. This can be seen in the sheer range of the countrys landscapes, which include everything from deserts in the north and rainforests in the south to a mix of mountains, Read More The 10 Richest States in MexicoContinue, Colorado is an incredible state to stay in if you are looking for a place with amazing weather, plenty of food, sports, cultural, and outdoor activities. Most visitors are in for a treat when they visit Texas. Doing otherwise is a violation of the citys code governing sanitation and appearance.. The Lone Star State is no stranger to peculiar laws. No mention of bringing it onto the dance floor, however. In Tennessee, you are breaking the law if you drive while sleeping. Allegedly, it came from a time when ranchers disputed over open ranges vs. fencing off their land. It wouldnt occur to anyone that owning a harmless set of literature, like the books making up the Encyclopedia Britannica, would be deemed illegal. While you can only be fined $10, its not worth the time and hassle. volumes contains a recipe for making beer at home. 9. In LeFors, Texas, its also considered most improper to take more than three sips of beer while standing up. Whether it's a law against hunting for whales in Oklahoma or a city ordinance against carrying a fishbowl full of water on a bus in Seattle(via Weird Facts), you can be sure that there are levels of weirdness that know no human-made or geographical boundaries. In 1837, Sam Houston shifted the capital to Houston and in 1939, the capital was yet again moved and situated in Austin. Romance is in the air with this strange law. Hawaii is full of weird rules, with it against the law to have two alcoholic drinks sitting in front of you, get a tattoo behind your ear, and eat your second wife. This angered the Texan community and the state authority enacted a law banning Osbourne from the Alamo and prohibited people from relieving themselves at the site. To make it easier, the authorities issued a blanket ban on wire cutters being carried. If we had to guess the truth, this law is less a situation where someone is requesting permission to get drunk, and more a liquor license request you can make for outdoor events in the city parka far more reasonable requirement under the law. Read More: The Best Places to Order BBQ in Austin, TX. In 1821, Texas was under the control of Mexico. The Alamo in San Antonio is Texas most famous historic site and it is considered a symbol of Texas liberty. Which we have to admit, as safety advocates, seems like a pretty good idea. Want to give your pet a new look? In Mobile, Alabama, it's illegal to "keep, store, use, manufacture, sell, offer for sale, give away or handle any 'spray string,' 'snap pops,' or other matter or substances similar thereto.". Unless you're at a gathering that's received proper approval, it's illegal in New York to be "masked or in any manner disguised by unusual or unnatural attire or facial alteration.". It could be argued that each of these laws fit a specific purpose at one time, however, the fact that some are still on the books lends for a humorous pause. We dont know why exactly many of them were created, but we do know everyone could use a good laugh. The Texas blue topaz, the state gem, is the perfect embodiment of the richness of the state. Let's take a look at some of the weirdest ones below: 1. The Weirdest Law in Every State in the USA, 1. As per lrl.texas.gov, its now a crime to commit a crime of violence against the person or property of another without having first notified the victim of his intent to commit the crime and of the victims rights; providing penalties.. The oldest county in Houston county which is turning 185 years old in 2022. 11. In the interests of transparency (and the dairy industry), we should point out this rule doesnt apply everywhere in Texas. Its easy to think that climate change is a problem for another country. Common Misconceptions About The State Of Texas, Texas Unemployment Insurance Benefits Guide, Ultimate Guide to Medicaid Benefits in the USA, How to Get South Dakota Medicaid Benefits | Best Answers, How to Get Wyoming Medicaid Benefits | Best Answers, How to Get Wisconsin Medicaid Benefits | Best Answers, How to Get West Virginia Medicaid Benefits | Best Answers, New Mexico Unemployment Insurance Benefits Guide, The Longhorn, the armadillo, and the Mexican free-tailed bat. Their notice must include the nature of the crime. Every state has old and archaic laws on their books. Texas law also says that it's illegal to carry wire cutters in your pocket, land an airplane on the beach, and ride horses at night without "tail" lights. Galveston might be a great city, but its laws need some work. It was written so that maritime companies couldnt be sued for more than the cost of a ship if they suffered a disaster at sea. The law was finally repealed in 2010. People who have been there reported very positive experiences, claiming it was highly unusual and otherworldly. The story is that a state senator who didn't want a certain law passed tacked this ridiculous conundrum onto the law to ensure it couldn't go forward. Texas joined the Union in the year 1845 and it held on to its right to fly the lone star flag at the same height as the national flag. Pi is a long, irrational number, and it's tough to remember. Being born and raised in Austin will do that to you - theres always something new and exciting going on. Can't let things get too wild! The Dallas Cowboys are the sole team in the NFL that has recorded 20 back-to-back winning seasons! We love a good old-fashioned horse and buggy. It's illegal there to practice "occult arts" - defined as "fortune telling, astrology, phrenology, palmistry, clairvoyance, mesmerism, spiritualism, or any other practice or practices generally recognized to be unsound and unscientific whereby an attempt or pretense is made. Two U.S. presidents were born in the state of Texas: Lyndon B. Johnson, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. 2. In Reno, Nevada, it's illegal to sit down or lie down on a public sidewalk. Those in favor of open ranges took to sneaking around with wire cutters and cutting any barbed wire they found. The bible might tell us not to covet our neighbors ass, but in Texas, its also frowned upon to desire their cow or at least, to milk them. 5 188 votes Milking cows It is illegal to milk another person's cow. It was the 28th state to join the Union. How this works in practice is baffling, but if you want to stay on the right side of the law, be prepared to work it out. 200 N LaSalle St Ste 1540 Chicago, IL 60601 Lets bust some myths and talk about some Texas facts that will blow your mind and leave you craving for a visit to the Lone Star state! Florida ran into a bit of trouble in 2013 when it accidentally banned all computers in the state. Use protection! Partly because who would be dusting public buildings with a feather duster in the first place? But in Texas, one eagle-eyed legislator realized that one of the books contained a formula for making beer at home, which is illegal in the state. This weird law exists because one of the. In case you were hoping to hunt from the window of your local Best Western or Howard Johnson, Texas law prohibits shooting buffalo from the second story of your hotel. It is illegal to raise alligators in your home. According to a Gainesville proclamation passed in 1961 designed to promote Gainesville as a poultry center, it's illegal to eat fried chicken with a fork. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. 4. This is one of the many myths you will find among weird Texas laws. The worlds very first rodeo was hosted by Texas on July 4th, 1883 in Pecos. A law in Temple will allow you to ride your horse into the local saloon. #1: Selling your organs According to the Texas Penal Code Section 48.02, it's against the law to sell human organs. Again, its highly doubtful that a police officer is going to pull you over, but stick to socks if youre in any doubt. The state's laws of fornication and adultery state: "If any man and woman, not being married to each other, shall lewdly and lasciviously associate, bed and cohabit together, they shall be guilty. Lots of states have laws that restrict various activity on Sundays, but in Iowa, it's illegal to sell automobiles or RVs on Sunday. This one doesnt have context, but there are some towns in Texas where it is illegal to dig into your neighbors trash for food (or anything else). The information on this website is for general information purposes only. As far as weird city laws go, Galveston seems to have the lion's share of them. If you stumble on a slightly grimy-looking building in Clarendon, Texas, do yourself a favor and keep right on walking. But if youre a train driver, take heed. The worst game of chicken. We participate in Affiliate Marketing Programs such as Amazon Associates, which allows us to earn a commission when you make a purchase through our links without adding any extra cost to you. Dont buy the Encyclopedia Britannica, 15. ", Wisconsin takes its cheese seriously. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. From serving beer to elephants to eating peanuts in church, we've rounded up the weirdest, wackiest food laws from across the country. Neither of the Bushes were born in Texas. Its one of those situations where were glad this law is no longer necessary. ", Nosy people might be wise to avoid Oklahoma. If youve ever thought about selling your eyes (and lets be honest, who hasnt? Featured Image Credit: Ramdlon on Pixabay. Here is a list of the weirdest Texas laws that are still on the books, according to WFAA and KHOU: JUST SAY YOU'RE MARRIED In Texas, if you want to be married then all you have to do is say so. There are truly some wacky laws out there There are truly some wacky laws out there. You're also not allowed to drive a motor vehicle down Broadway Street before noon on Sundays. Texas is home to Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Stafford a city in Houston. Be careful what you do in Chicago. The law states that only the owner, pump operator or employee is allowed to pump the gas. Kansans don't mess around with their cherry pie. Dont put wire-cutters in your pockets, 8. before it happens. However, it is permissible to kill raccoons. mheim3011/iStock via Getty Images. According to one Texas law, criminals who intend to commit a crime are supposed to give their victims oral or written notice 24 hours in advance. Skamania County, Washington, passed a law in 1969 deeming the "slaying of Bigfoot to be a felony and punishable by 5 years in prison." If you are thinking about selling one of your eyes in Texas, you had better reconsider. Better not try to pronounce Arkansas phonetically - the provision specifically says that " pronunciation with the accent on the second syllable with the sound of "a" in "man" and the sounding of the terminal "s" is an innovation to be discouraged.". The summer is hot and muggy with an average temperature of 102F (39C) along the Rio Grande! Moreover, a couple can be considered legally married even if the other spouse isnt present for the ceremony. The Texas Legislative Reference Library has even gone so far as to scroll through every piece of Texas legislation to see if they could find any reference to it. 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For over a century, New Mexico law stipulated that "idiots" were ineligible to vote. If you're a live performer in Billings, Montana, you need stamina: you're required by law to remain on stage throughout the duration of your performance. In some cities, youre required to purchase a $5 permit before walking around barefoot. In 2009, a woman was arrested as a practical joke for violating the law, but was later pardoned. The law is always changing, as it should: the law reflects the needs of the society or community that writes them. Here is a list of the weirdest Texas laws that are still on the books, according to WFAA and KHOU: In Texas, if you want to be married then all you have to do is say so. We scoured the law books in every state to find the weirdest law that's been passed in each one (some have been repealed, but some are shockingly still on the books). All these stereotypes havent even begun to scratch the surface of what a gem Texas is. Partly because who would be. As you can see, the state of Texas still has myriad laws, both local and statewide, that still fit into the category of "weird." Still, these laws technically existand if anything, are good for giving us a peek at what life must have been like in small towns all over Texas a century ago (or even more recently). You might be tempted to milk your neighbor's cow, but you had better get their permission first. If you get your neighbors permission first, everything is A-Ok. And, the George H. W. Bush (Sr.) began his political career in Texas but born in Massachusetts.). Flickr/state_library_south_australia. Find out what the law says in your home state. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute("id","a1f8cf7fc22df94d69eb4807f82f2d09");document.getElementById("fa03a36ca8").setAttribute("id","comment"); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 50 dumb laws in America. Always check local laws before you travel. But then no one noticed, and it accidentally became a law. Makes me suspect the rest of this article is BS. Even if you visited a nursing home resident, you were prohibited from playing bingo with them. From a law against wearing socks with sandals in Florida to one against eating rabbits in Oklahoma, here are some of the craziest laws in the US. It is illegal to sell Limburger cheese on Sunday. As long as both parties are consenting, over 18, not already married, and of course not related; you can skip having to bother with getting a marriage license. But then no one noticed, and it accidentally became a law. Here are 15 weird dog laws you didn't know. Handy they may be, but in this particular part of Texas, theyre also strictly forbidden (or at least, they are when theyre traveling around with you leave them at home and you should be able to escape any trouble). Statewide, Texas legislatures from generations past have enacted some real weirdness that was supposed to be enforced throughout the state. According to the Tennessee Constitution, it's illegal to hold public office if a person does any of the following: "fight a duel, or knowingly be the bearer of a challenge to fight a duel, or send. Full screen. According to state law, it's a third-degree crime to wear a body vest while "engaged in the commission of, or an attempt to commit, or flight after committing or attempting to commit murder, manslaughter, robbery, sexual assault, burglary, kidnapping, criminal escape or assault.". It is obviously illegal in some Texas towns to be drunk in public spaces, at least to the degree that youre a nuisance or a danger to others. (Temple) 4 208 votes Selling one's eye It is illegal to sell one's eye. Not only is it disgusting and quite possibly a health hazard, but its also a crime. Announce it 3 times in public instead! In the city of Harker Heights in Bell County, drivers of all vehicles owned or operated by the United States, the state of Texas, or any county, town, district, or any other political subdivision of the state should observe all city road laws. However, when those laws address specific needs that no longer apply (or have no context), you end up with legal codes that appear more and more ridiculous over time. The Houston Comets made sporting history in the United States by being the first team in the country to scoop four back-to-back WNBA Championships. Whether you live in Austin or are simply visiting for the day, dont make the mistake of carrying wire cutters in your pocket. Texas has a bicameral legislature with 31 representatives and a four-year term for each senator. Shooting a buffalo It is illegal for one to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel. It stands at 8,751 feet tall. So before you decide to throw confetti in the town of Borger (per Only in Your State), carry wire cutters in your pockets while walking around the city of Austin (via Stupid Laws), or wear a "lewd" dress in El Paso, remember that ignorance of the law, no matter how weird, is no excuse. Back during the days of the Wild West, cowboys in what is now the city of Austin, used to carry around wire-cutters to cut barbed-wire fences of property owners in order to allow their cattle herds to pass through. Some of these laws were created in the early 1800s and 1900s (when they made more sense) and were just never changed, while others have been revised to fit with the times. According to trianglerealtyllc.com, the law dates back to the time when there were all kinds of arguments going on between landowners who preferred open ranges and those who referred to mark off their territory with barbed wire. Therefore, the state legislature voted to ban the set of books. Legislature allows the creation of new counties but only within constitutional limitations. . Thats not the case in Texas. Not so in El Paso, where the right to spit is protected by law. But some unfortunate scoundrel prompted San Antonio to pass a law specifically criminalizing urinating on the Alamo.
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