Thankfully for math students across the state, a mathematician intervened and the bill stalled in the Senate and never passed. There's an old state law that makes it a punishable offense to show up to a church in a disguise. In the town of Kingsville, two pigs are forbidden in engaging in sex on airport property. This could explain why there is a law stating you have to acknowledge a supreme being . Texas is also known as the Lone Star State because of its flag which only contains just one star. They may have made sense when they were written, but today they seem a little questionable, weird or just plain dumb. And, the George H. W. Bush (Sr.) began his political career in Texas but born in Massachusetts.). Definitely look around for a bench if your feet are tired. Most visitors are in for a treat when they visit Texas. 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. Two U.S. presidents were born in the state of Texas: Lyndon B. Johnson, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Texas is a common law marriage state, which means you are considered legally married if the couple makes three public announcements that theyre married. Their winning streak stretched from 1966 to 1985. The United States is a diverse country with many different climates, landscapes, and cultures. If you dont, you could end up being slapped with a jail sentence for trespassing and property theft. Individuals intending on committing a crime are supposed to give their victims. The summer is hot and muggy with an average temperature of 102F (39C) along the Rio Grande! 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. But sometimes, in their dedication to legislation, Texas lawmakers have gotten a little, well, goofy. Every state has old and archaic laws on their books. At the Olympic games held in Rio in 2016, Simone Biles scooped four gold medals and one bronze medal. Make sure you've got your wits about you when singing the national anthem in Massachusetts. There are many more facts about Texas and you can go on YouTube and watch this video for more: The Lone Star State has a lot more to offer the world. Every state has a weird law on the books that may have made sense at some point in history but seems pretty ridiculous in 2019. According to houston-criminalattorney.com, theres still an active Texas law that prohibits shooting a buffalo from the second floor of a hotel. It is illegal to milk another persons cow. It's illegal to milk someone else's cow, and you can incur . Theres a law in Lubbock stating that it is illegal to drive within arms length of alcohol. Dont buy the Encyclopedia Britannica, 15. 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. The slaughter was prompted, in part, by a desire to wipe out the major food source for Native Americans. Contrary to popular belief, the economy of Texas has diversified into tech, services, trade, and manufacturing. Texas will also legally recognize your marriage if you announce your marriage in a public place three or more times. If you are thinking about selling one of your eyes in Texas, you had better reconsider. Texas is the state with the most executions, with 464 between 1974 and 2011. Turns out, she was as passionate about writing for a living as she was horseback riding or rock climbing. Time to warm that soul up with a nice bowl of Texas chili. If two trains meet at a railroad crossing, both must stop and neither can go until the other one is gone. In 1837, Sam Houston shifted the capital to Houston and in 1939, the capital was yet again moved and situated in Austin. Partly because who would be dusting public buildings with a feather duster in the first place? 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. The law states that "no entertainer or performer whether male or female shall be permitted to leave such platform or area while entertaining or performing.". Texas is the home of three NBA teams: the Dallas Mavericks, the Houston Rockets, and the San Antonio Spurs. In fairness, we should probably point out that this particular law was officially repealed in 1974, but its still considered a very impolite thing to do regardless. Next time you're looking for an adrenaline rush in Louisiana, maybe avoid wrestling a bear. 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. Owning a set of the Encyclopedia Britannica is against the law. As much as we all might want some fresh dairy in the morning, its illegal to milk another persons cow without permission. 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.". 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. Some people have called the law into question. 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. The problem is, however outdated and bizarre they might seem on paper, theyre still enforceable. It does, however, apply in Houston, where even a nibble of a slice of Limburger cheese on a Sunday could be enough to get you in bother with the law. Technically, theyre required of a kind and number to efficiently contain expectorations into them, so even just a single spittoon might do these days. El Paso has a law on the books requiring spittoons in church, assembly halls, hotels, banks, stores, train depots, and saloons. It was time for her to start finding real work, whatever that was going to be. 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. Their notice must include the nature of the crime. Initially, the Spanish referred to it as Tejas and the name later changed to Texas. The biggest statue that resembles a human in the United States is the statue of the first president of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston. Possibly one of the strangest laws in Texas. In the town of Port Arthur, you'd better not break wind in the elevator. The 86th Texas Legislature didn't get too crazy. 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. It used to be unlawful to take more than three sips of beer while on your feet. Like a lot of similar laws, no ones exactly sure why it came into existence, and no ones exactly sure why it hasnt been reappeared yet. The Lone Star state was considered an independent nation from the year 1836 to the year 1845. Texas statistically has a higher percentage of religious or religion-practicing residents than the rest of the country. In New York, the penalty for jumping off a building is . No matter how much youre craving some milk with your cookies, pulling on a strange cows udder could land you in a heap of bother. 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. 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. Their death galvanized Texas residents against the Mexican army and a month later a charged Texan army fought to victory over Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto. We dont know. In Biddeford, Maine, people are dissuaded from trying out any fun, adventurous stunts. In Port Arthur, TX, its illegal to emit obnoxious odors in the elevator. Passengers on trains would lean out their windows and shoot at herds as they rode by. While we wouldn't expect any starry-eyed lovers to be arrested for this in the Alamo City, there's an urban legend. The vast majority of these laws would be a comical event if they were attempted to be enforced. We will never ask you to provide any personal information to us. 2. Get caught flicking through its pages, and you could technically wind up with a hefty fine or even jail time. Use protection! Read More: The Best Places to Order BBQ in Austin, TX. The Alamo in San Antonio is Texas most famous historic site and it is considered a symbol of Texas liberty. 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.". Here are the best spots to grab a hearty bowl today. Milking someone else's cow. So, if you plan on getting up to no good, be sure to let your planned victim know in advance, and dont forget to spell out exactly what you intend to do to them. 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. This was against the law for years, as this encyclopedia contained instructions for how to brew your own beer (via Our Community Now). The governor in Texas has limited power. Atheists are barred from holding public office in Texas. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Liner Law Group18 West BroadwayManhattan, NY 10002. It is illegal to ride a skateboard, roller skates or in-line roller blades while attached to any vehicle in a public place. The state of Texas has a lot to offer, from the best barbeque in the United States to rodeo for the adventurous spirits. 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. The Mexicans beat and killed all Texan soldiers defending the church. Not so in El Paso, where the right to spit is protected by law. #1: Selling your organs According to the Texas Penal Code Section 48.02, it's against the law to sell human organs. The King Ranch in Texas is notably bigger than Rhode Island, which is the smallest state in the United States. 18. Claudette, considered the deadliest natural disaster, caused devastation that cost the state $600 million in damages. On top of her hobbies, she loves to travel and explore new things. Not to worry though, you can get a permit for about $5, and then youre free to live your best no-shoes life. Lily Wordsmith is a freelance writer who has had a love affair with the written word for decades. In Maine, dancing is prohibited at establishments that sell liquor, unless the establishment has been issued a "special amusement permit." Info? Blasphemy is still illegal in Michigan. Dont sit on the sidewalk in Galveston, States in the U.S. Not so, according to our research. If you do decide to go ahead with the wedding ceremony, dont panic if you forget to invite your fiancee thanks to a proxy marriage law, neither the groom nor the bride has to be present at the ceremony for the marriage to be considered legally binding. The Lone Star State is a study in uniqueness and we Texans fly our Lone Star flag high with pride and we definitely do love our prime rib! He/she has the authority to veto bills, appoint boards and commissions, and initiate legislation. (George W. Bush (Jr.) was a former Governer, but born in Connecticut. 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. Idaho - It's Illegal To Gift Someone a Box of Chocolates Weighing More Than 50 Pounds Nobody should be eating that much chocolate. This is considered the deadliest natural disaster in the history of the United States. If you're planning to commit a serious crime in New Jersey, leave your bulletproof vest at home. Here are few of the weirdest statutes on the books across the U.S. . 1. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In Rhode Island, you can face up to 20 years in prison if you "put out an eye, slit the nose, ear, or lip, or cut off, bite off, or disable any limb or member of another. They don't mess around with moose in Alaska. The average cost of living in Texas is 7% lower than the national average. To facilitate weddings for servicemen and women who may be abroad, weird marriage laws in California, Colorado, Texas, and Montana allow "marriage by proxy," which means either the groom or. Partly because who would be. While that could mean any number of emissions, theres one in particular that would be heinous in an enclosed space. You're also not allowed to sit down on a sidewalk. Louisiana law states that individuals involved in "bear wrestling matches" - defined as "a match or contest between one or more persons and a bear for the purpose of fighting or engaging in a physical altercation" - are guilty of bear wrestling. The Texas state flag is known as The Lone Star Flag. According to state law, it's illegal for a person in an "offensive state of intoxication" to "enter or be on or remain upon any railway train or interurban car as a passenger.". Simone Biles is from Texas and she has the highest number of medals for a black, female American gymnast in World Championship history. Cynthia Cooper is the only player in the history of the United States to have won the WNBA Championship MVP. And, a garage sale can't last longer than three days, and must be held within certain hours. Here are just a few. The name Texas has its roots in the Caddo Indian word Taysha which means friends. We will not sell your information to third parties. Wisconsinites love their dairya fact that's reflected on the books. 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. The Texans rallied to the cry of Remember the Alamo! during the battle. Late last week, the Texas Senate passed a bill requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every classroom in the Lone Star State. The highest elevation point in Texas is the Guadalupe peak. Because of the weird laws in Texas, it's illegal to do the following 12 things. Who knows what political squabble set this one off? Throughout the state, you'll also find that there are legal consequences for shooting a buffalo from a hotel window. 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. 2018 Texas Farm Bureau Insurance, Copyright 2023 TEXAS FARM BUREAU INSURANCE, https://bizlifetime.com/slot-gacor-gampang-menang/, https://printerdriverspack.com/situs-judi-slot-terbaik-dan-terpercaya-no-1/, https://www.ossmediterraneo.com/slot-gacor/, https://www.247acemedia.com/wp-content/slot-gacor-terbaru/, http://empregosecursos.com.br/situs-judi-slot-online-gampang-menang/, https://skalistiri.news/slot-gacor-maxwin/, https://www.housingaustria.com/situs-slot-gacor/, https://www.luthierdirectory.co.uk/slot-gacor-2022/, https://superstitionsar.org/slot-terbaik-dan-terpercaya-no-1/, https://www.adangseadivers.com/slot-gacor/, https://www.elmuseodelrecambio.es/wp-content/slot-gacor/, https://manualcopyleft.net/wp-includes/slot-gacor/, https://damyngheanhduc.com/wp-includes/slot-gacor/, https://www.chemfreecarpetcleaning.com/slot-gacor-2022/, https://urbankitchen.shop/wp-includes/slot-gacor/, https://mirmidones.gr/wp-includes/slot-gacor-terbaru/, https://texasheritageforliving.com/wp-includes/slot-gacor/. The very first declaration of Texas independence was signed on the 20th of December in 1835 when Texas became an independent nation. . Some of these laws have context, but in many cases, we have no idea what led to their creation, much less their passage! From serving beer to elephants to eating peanuts in church, we've rounded up the weirdest, wackiest food laws from across the country. 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. Announce it 3 times in public instead! The Spanish explorer lva Nez Cabeza de Vaca was the first-ever European to step foot in Texas. Texas has a bicameral legislature with 31 representatives and a four-year term for each senator. For a start, its illegal to throw trash from an airplane which is fair enough, although how anyone can actually do it in the first place (dont crack a window to find out) is a bit of a mystery. 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. ), dont try and do it in Texas. So concerned is the city about the threat of civilians taking up valuable sidewalk space, theyre prepared to fine anyone caught doing it a stonking $500. We dont know what might have necessitated this, but the town of Borger, TX forbids the throwing of confetti, rubber balls, and firecrackers in city limits. Let's take a look at weird laws in all 50 of the US states. Lots of states have laws that restrict various activity on Sundays, but in Iowa, it's illegal to sell automobiles or RVs on Sunday. As per rhinolawyer.com, if you want to hold public office in Texas, youll first need to acknowledge the existence of a supreme being. It's illegal in Vermont to prohibit clotheslines. Dont put wire-cutters in your pockets, 8. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. 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. So if youre going the wrong way, youll have to take the long way around. It's also possibly a felony offense to pursue someone about employment. This is another law where the actual legal code couldnt be confirmed, but it is allegedly illegal for children to have unusual haircuts in Mesquite, TX. The Texas Agriculture Code states that, "a notice of intent [to modify the weather] must be published at least once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general. The Weirdest Law in Every State in the USA, 1. 3. Need ideas? Maybe it would be fine to use a washrag. If fairness, this next law doesnt affect too many people. Because I care, I went deep into the Gettysburg Times archives and found, from. E: info@urbanmatter.com The population of cattle in Texas is estimated to be in excess of 16 million, which is more than any other state in the United States. We dont know that it has, but its nice to be prepared. Texas Penal Code Section 48.02 has the guts to say it: selling (or buying) human organs is illegal. The Three Sips You're Out Myth. And its not a joke, either; offenders have been jailed for up to a year. Here are 15 weird dog laws you didn't know. Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App. But some unfortunate scoundrel prompted San Antonio to pass a law specifically criminalizing urinating on the Alamo. On the plus side, youre 100 percent free to sell your blood, hair, and even your principles if the price is right. 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. Bush is from Massachusetts and W is from Connecticut. The Big Bend national park experiences tourist activity with about 400,000 people visiting the park every year. There are lots of wonderfully weird things about the Lone Star State. Galveston might be a great city, but its laws need some work. Not forgetting the rodeo! But woe betides anyone who drives without windshield wipers, a crime that comes with a hefty fine and even a jail sentence. The only requirements (from the state) are that both parties must be at least 18 years old, unmarried, and not related to each other. We hope you wont need to take a rest as youre walking around Galveston. 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). Those laws are generally built on custom and and are enforced to ensure public safety. Sabrina is a former campaign manager who has decided to focus her effort to help people contact senators and get help. Possibly one of the strangest laws in Texas. You can legally marry someone by stating it out loud. 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. This weird law in Texas is based on property theft. In Virginia, it's illegal to "hunt or kill any wild bird or wild animal, including any nuisance species" on Sundays. Sometimes you can intuit an imaginary, zany situation that prompted the passing of a peculiar Texas statute. Everywhere in the world, you can find weird laws and Texas is no exception. So concerned are the authorities about peoples right to spit without embarrassment, theyve even made it a legal requirement for all churches, hotels, halls of assembly, stores, markets, banking rooms, railroad depots, and saloons to provide spittoons of a kind and number to efficiently contain expectorations into them.. If its a Sunday, be very, very, careful about your next steps. Remember how your mother always told you not to eat with your mouth full? The law is always changing, as it should: the law reflects the needs of the society or community that writes them. Kansans don't mess around with their cherry pie. Bigfoot hunters, beware. Weddings are expensive. Which we have to admit, as safety advocates, seems like a pretty good idea. In Richardson, U-turns are illegal. 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. . However, these weird or outlandish laws are actually on the books, whether they're enforced or not.. For common law marriages, you just need to fill out a declaration form, which can be found online. You can be charged with property theft, and even trespassing. Moreover, a couple can be considered legally married even if the other spouse isnt present for the ceremony. It stands at 8,751 feet tall. Next time you're in Grand Rapids, Ohio, be careful with your foreign animal. 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. Allegedly, Texas has a law against drinking more than three sips of beer while standing. California takes frog rights seriously. 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. So, drink up while standing up. You're also not allowed to drive a motor vehicle down Broadway Street before noon on Sundays. An ordinance was passed that makes doing so an offense punishable by a fine (per Stupid Laws). Texas has the largest urban bat colony in the whole of North America! In some cities, the laws do not allow you to be barefootin public without a permit. 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These mountains run along the border of Tennessee. 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