Not so in El Paso, where the right to spit is protected by law. The problem is, however outdated and bizarre they might seem on paper, theyre still enforceable. When she's not running around with friends, she's at home with the most obnoxious cat ever. Texas is the only state to have six flags from different countries fly over it. Why? Full screen. This weird law exists because one of the volumes contains a recipe for making beer at home. Even though today there are many legal options for home beer making, if youre caught with the books you can be fined or do some jail time. And, a garage sale can't last longer than three days, and must be held within certain hours. We hope you wont need to take a rest as youre walking around Galveston. The Lone Star state was considered an independent nation from the year 1836 to the year 1845. Texas handgun owners must still be at least 21-years-old and cannot have served a sentence for a felony or family violence within the last five years. State law forbids restaurants from substituting margarine for butter unless a customer specifically asks for the . Mississippi once passed a law stipulating that any person who has already had an illegitimate child and again becomes the parent of an illegitimate child within the state is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by fines, jail time or both. 61 Texas Facts and Weird Laws - ContactSenators You can legally marry someone by publicly introducing that person as your husband or wife 3 times. If you want to stay on the right side of the law, be sure to familiarize yourself with these 20 weird laws in Texas. Atheists are barred from holding public office in Texas. Vomiting will make you subject to a hefty fine. Most Texans support the American governments stance on gun control under certain circumstances and they have similar views as the rest of America. 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. And, the George H. W. Bush (Sr.) began his political career in Texas but born in Massachusetts.). If you're driving through Hawaii, you won't find anything blocking the state's gorgeous scenery - billboards are illegal. Dont buy the Encyclopedia Britannica, 15. Unless you have the $5 permit you need to walk around barefoot. Perhaps thats why it was necessary to write a law declaring, It is illegal for one to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel.. Some people have called the law into question. As of this moment, owning over five sex toys in Texas is technically illegal, though no one will enforce it. The Spanish explorer lva Nez Cabeza de Vaca was the first-ever European to step foot in Texas. A memorial was built at the Alamo to honor the fallen heroes. That being said, its probably a good idea to avoid shooting buffalos from your hotel room, regardless of which floor youre on. If you want to whizz around town in a car without a windshield, its perfectly fine to do so. 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 or accept a challenge for that purpose, or be an aider or abettor in fighting a duel.". In Delaware, it's illegal for a pawnbroker to "take or receive as a pledge or pawn any artificial limb or wheelchair.". It may be your body, but if you might want to remind yourself of which state youre in before thinking its your choice. Need ideas? Use your eye or hands to flirt, and you could end up attracting as much attention from the law as from your love interest. As a college graduate of less than a year, Luiza found herself at a crossroads. Texas Penal Code 38.12 (a) makes it a felony to talk to someone in hopes of finding employment. They couldnt. Blood and hair are a-ok. You could get up to a year in jail for this class A misdemeanor if the judge or jury convicts you of selling an organ. In some cities, the laws do not allow you to be barefoot. The law states that "no person shall sit or lie down upon a public sidewalk, or upon a blanket, chair, stool, or any other object placed upon a public sidewalk in the Downtown Reno Regional Center.". This weird law in Texas is based on property theft. But what makes it also diverse and unique are the many different weird laws in the US. 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. 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. In Texas, this never has been, nor is it currently a law. State law holds that "no person, firm or corporation shall exterminate pigeons or other harmful wild birds without first having obtained a permit from the Fargo health department.". On the plus side, youre 100 percent free to sell your blood, hair, and even your principles if the price is right. 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. In LeFors, Texas, its also considered most improper to take more than three sips of beer while standing up. El Paso has a law on the books requiring spittoons in church, assembly halls, hotels, banks, stores, train depots, and saloons. In Port Arthur, TX, its illegal to emit obnoxious odors in the elevator. Most visitors are in for a treat when they visit Texas. If you havent, keep your sneakers on at all times. 20 Bizarre But Real Laws that Exist in New York - Money Inc Not to worry though, you can get a permit for about $5, and then youre free to live your best no-shoes life. Blasphemy laws used to be very common in the United States, but there are still some in existence, including in . The 50 Craziest State Food Laws. The law sounds random, but was likely passed to crack down on Ku Klux Klan activities in the state. Unless youve handed over money for your own cow and have the papers to prove it, youll have to stick to buying your milk at the grocery store. Prior to World War II, the Texan economy thrived on cattle, cotton, timber, and oil. There's an old state law that makes it a punishable offense to show up to a church in a disguise. Theres a law in Lubbock stating that it is illegal to drive within arms length of alcohol. State law requires that cheese labeled as Wisconsin certified premium Grade AA meet a certain standard: it must be "fine, highly pleasing and free from undesirable flavors and odors.". Being born and raised in Austin will do that to you - theres always something new and exciting going on. The French were the first to colonize Texas in 1685 where they established a colony in Matagorda bay but they were later driven out by the Spanish. The summer is hot and muggy with an average temperature of 102F (39C) along the Rio Grande! Texas' Weirdest Laws | Texas Heritage for Living Simone Biles is from Texas and she has the highest number of medals for a black, female American gymnast in World Championship history. The state of Texas has a lot to offer, from the best barbeque in the United States to rodeo for the adventurous spirits. Texas Penal Code Section 48.02 has the guts to say it: selling (or buying) human organs is illegal. You might think that prohibitions on how to treat the most significant building in the history of Texas would be regulated by mere public decency. 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. (a) A person commits an offense if, with intent to obtain an economic benefit the person: (1) knowingly institutes a suit or claim that the person has not been authorized to pursue; [or] (2) solicits employment, either in person or. Texas is the sole state that became part of the United States through a signed treaty and not an annexation. The same applies to your heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, skin, and other organs or tissues. All these stereotypes havent even begun to scratch the surface of what a gem Texas is. In 1821, Texas was under the control of Mexico. You're also not allowed to sit down on a sidewalk. Noah Feldman. Its easy to think that climate change is a problem for another country. In South Carolina, a law once made a man guilty of a misdemeanor if he seduced an unmarried woman using "deception and promise of marriage." Read More: Austin Releases a COVID-19 Plan to Restore Events This Year. This isn't only a weird Texas law, of course. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The law was repealed in 2016. ), dont try and do it in Texas. There is no limit to the number of guns a Texan can own at one time, though there is a . While that could mean any number of emissions, theres one in particular that would be heinous in an enclosed space. If youre riding a horse at night, you have to give it a taillight literally. It wouldnt occur to anyone that owning a harmless set of literature, like the books making up the Encyclopedia Britannica, would be deemed illegal. If you're caught using a reptile in a religious service in Kentucky, you could face a fine of more than $50. Another beer law that has since been repealed concerns how you drink your beverage while standing up. Texas is only second to California when it comes to the state with the biggest number of professional sports teams. Not all Texans wear cowboy hats and western boots, only a small percentage channel the Texas cowboy look and almost all of them are small-town ranchers. There were many new laws that went into effect with the new year. In other words, if you have a legitimate reason for absence - like military service - you can send someone to get married in your place, as long as you have all the right documentation. 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. Except this law technically applies to alcohol in someone elses bloodstream. According to state law, if a person "plays, sings or renders the ''Star Spangled Banner'' in any public place, theatre, motion picture hall, restaurant or cafe, or at any public entertainment, other than as a whole and separate composition or number, without embellishment or addition in the way of national or other melodies" can face a fine. Here are the top 8 strangest laws in Texas. Unfortunately, its illegal to ride one through a town square in Texas. No wonder we love our barbeque! The Alamo in San Antonio is Texas most famous historic site and it is considered a symbol of Texas liberty. According to stupidlaws.com, the law stipulates that when two trains meet each other at a railroad crossing, each shall come to a full stop, and neither shall proceed until the other has gone. Thankfully for math students across the state, a mathematician intervened and the bill stalled in the Senate and never passed. Weve compiled a list of eight more weird laws from the state of Texas. It was erected and unveiled in 1994 when Texas. Dont put wire-cutters in your pockets, 8. Full disclaimer: I did high school in Texas and could be biased. Galveston city officials also made it against the law for anyone to take a whiff of glue. Their notice must include the nature of the crime. From venues, restaurants, and bars to events, festivals, and music weve got you covered. Selling your eye. 100 Weird Laws From Around the World | Dtli | thesunchronicle.com Those in favor of open ranges took to sneaking around with wire cutters and cutting any barbed wire they found. If youre in Dennison or Bristol, Texas, try not to adjust your stockings in public. Texas has the largest urban bat colony in the whole of North America! This being the days before CCTV, it was tricky to work out who the perp was. For instance, you are supposedly not legally allowed to tuck your jeans into your boots unless you own more than 10 cattle (via Stupid Laws ). But think about it for a second. Jefferson, Missouri, has a strict attitude towards garage sales. Shooting a buffalo It is illegal for one to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel. 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. Fortunately, neither do the authorities, so youre unlikely to get into too much trouble if you cant resist a little light dusting. State law stipulates that "a person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree if he deals in humanity, by trading, bartering, buying, selling, or dealing in infant children. The rich culture and history make it the subject of myths and a favorite with tourists. For common law marriages, you just need to fill out a declaration form, which can be found online. In Virginia, it's illegal to "hunt or kill any wild bird or wild animal, including any nuisance species" on Sundays. Bigfoot hunters, beware. The Most Ridiculous Law in Every State - Business Insider The law forbids regulations that prohibit "clotheslines, or other energy devices based on renewable resources.". Be careful what you do in Chicago. Weird Laws in Every US State You Should Know About E: info@urbanmatter.com The Three Sips You're Out Myth. We stumble home from the bar, desperate for something to soak up some of the alcohol, and spot something tasty poking out of our neighbors garbage. Can't let things get too wild! Tossing anything from aircraft over the city is equally forbidden. In some states, paying a fine for a traffic ticket is not an admission of guilt. ", If you live in Pennsylvania, don't try selling your child. If you sit on a sidewalk there, you could get fined $500. However, if you pay a doctor, the physician can remove your eyes legally. Announce it 3 times in public instead! According to the Kansas Secretary of State, it's unclear how this law originated or whether it's still technically on the books, but - fortunately for dessert lovers - it's not enforced. Texas is home to Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Stafford a city in Houston. It can be verbal or written and was supposed to help reduce crime. We dont know that it has, but its nice to be prepared. Offenders of this one might have to pay up to $500 in fines (viaHG Legal Resources). They may be sliding down your leg, but if youre caught pulling them up, you could wind up spending a year in the state penitentiary. It was the 28th state to join the Union. Initially, the Spanish referred to it as Tejas and the name later changed to Texas. Here's a look at some odd Texas laws that are still on the books Texas Wire cutters cannot be carried in your pocket. On June 16, the deadline for Gov. While this may seem like a no-brainer, it is illegal in Texas to sell your eyes, heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, skin and other organs or tissues. The Texas State capitol building is similar to the United States Capitol. Major sports teams include the Houston Astros, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Texas Rangers, and Dallas Stars. Pigeons can be annoying - but in North Dakota, you need permission to exterminate one. 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. The worlds very first rodeo was hosted by Texas on July 4th, 1883 in Pecos. Texas is divided into 7 regions: The Gulf Coast (Houston, Corpus Christi), Prairies and Lakes (Fort WorthHill Country (San Antonio, Austin), South Texas Plains (San Antonio), Big Bend Country (El Paso), Panhandle-Plains (Amarillo, Lubach), Dallas, Arlington) and the Pine Woods (Texarkana). There is a statue of the Goddess of Liberty holding forth a five-point star at the top of the Texas State Capitol. If you want to fuss with your stockings in Bristol, prepare for some jail time. In 2017, New Hampshire passed an anti-homicide law defining a 20-week fetus as a person, clarifying that the law did not apply to pregnant women who might need an abortion. It's illegal in Vermont to prohibit clotheslines. But some unfortunate scoundrel prompted San Antonio to pass a law specifically criminalizing urinating on the Alamo. The state of Texas does not require drivers to have a windshield. According to HG Legal Resources, you can find yourself the recipient of a steep fine if you are caught flirting in the city of San Antonio. Texas is also home to about 450 species of birds which makes it a favorite for bird watchers and it has the most bird species in the United States. In Texarkana, it is only legal to ride horses at night if the horse has tail lights. 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. . Don't be so sure. However, legislators quickly amended the law after it became clear that its vague language could have permitted pregnant women to commit any murder without consequences. During the late 19th century, tens of millions of buffalo were killed in the American West. The two people involved agree to be married, live together as a married couple, and tell people that they are married. He/she has the authority to veto bills, appoint boards and commissions, and initiate legislation. Think again. For more than 50 years, the country's leading training, research, and flight control programs have been conducted here. This city also criminalized making obscene gestures. ", If you want your fortune told, you won't find it in Yamhill, Oregon. Weirdest Laws in Texas Dumb Laws in Texas - countryliving.com The law was finally repealed in 2010. In Texas, you can legally marry someone if you publicly proclaim that the person is your husband or wife three times. Everywhere in the world, you can find weird laws and Texas is no exception. Its also illegal to make offensive gestures at public events, drive a motor car down Broadway before noon on Sunday, or imbibe alcohol in a city park without express permission from the director of parks and recreation. Three of the top 10 most populous cities in the United States are Texas cities, they are Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Which, Read More The 20 Worst Places to Live in New JerseyContinue, For many people, living against a backdrop of mountains is a dream come true. But then there is this mystery: Why would Clarendon prohibit the feather dusting of a public building? 5. 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. While it was considered illegal to possess at one time, Texas residents can now own a set of Encyclopedia Britannica. 50 /51. Better get your permit application ready. 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. Back in the mid-1980s, the Texas Legislature specifically told Texans not to sell their eyes in a statute prohibiting the purchase and sale of human organs. Even though today there are many legal options for home beer making, if youre caught with the books you can be fined or do some jail time. Announce it 3 times in public instead! In the year 1900, a hurricane hit Galveston and caused over 8000 deaths. It's not clear if any specific incident sparked the initial passage of this law. Maybe it would be fine to use a washrag. 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. The chance of getting into trouble for downing a pint while standing is pretty remote, but if you want to play it safe, grab a chair first. It used to be unlawful to take more than three sips of beer while on your feet. Technically, theyre required of a kind and number to efficiently contain expectorations into them, so even just a single spittoon might do these days. in public without a permit. This was right after Mexico became independent and was given control over all the Spanish territories, Texas included. City employees must observe road rules, just like everyone else. Her academic degrees include AA social Sci/BA English/MEd Adult Ed & Community & Human Resource Development and ABD in PhD studies in Indust & Org Psychology. This weird law exists because one of the. While we dont have the specific story behind this law, its not hard to imagine that El Paso was perhapsdealing with an excess of spit in public spaces. Find out what the law says in your home state. It is illegal to sell Limburger cheese on Sunday. State law defines a catastrophe as widespread injury or damage caused by weapons of mass destruction, explosion, fire, flood, avalanche, or building collapse.