Texas has its own set of rules when it comes to some of the oddest laws on the books. So, whether you live in Texas or are planning a trip to the Lone Star State, here are some peculiar Texas laws to be aware of. Every state has some bizarre laws, but Texas has some of the most absurd. To be honest, I’m not sure how these ordinances got passed in the first place. You probably won’t get caught doing any of these strange things in Texas, but reading them will make you laugh.
Strange laws can be found all over the world, and Texas is no exception. Even though these laws are bizarre, they are still in effect. We don’t know why so many of them were created, but we do know that everyone could benefit from a good laugh. Here are the top ten stupid laws in Texas.
One must acknowledge a supreme being before being able to hold public office.
The Texas Constitution
Article 1 – BILL OF RIGHTS
Section 4 – RELIGIOUS TESTSNo religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office, or public trust, in this State; nor shall any one be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments, provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being.
The Bluebonnet is the official song of the state flower.
Art. 6143bb. State Flower Song
Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring, That it adopt the Bluebonnet song as the State Flower Song.
Acts 1933, 43rd Leg., p. 930, H.C.R. No. 24.
It is illegal to sell your eye.
48.02. Prohibition of the Purchase and Sale of Human Organs
(a) “Human organ” means the human kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, eye, bone, skin, fetal tissue, or any other human organ or tissue, but does not include hair or blood, blood components (including plasma), blood derivatives, or blood reagents.
(b) A person commits an offense if he or she knowingly or intentionally offers to buy, offers to sell, acquires, receives, sells, or otherwise transfers any human organ for valuable consideration.
(c) It is an exception to the application of this section that the valuable consideration is: (1) a fee paid to a physician or to other medical personnel for services rendered in the usual course of medical practice or a fee paid for hospital or other clinical services; (2) reimbursement of legal or medical expenses incurred for the benefit of the ultimate receiver of the organ; or (3) reimbursement of expenses of travel, housing, and lost wages incurred by the donor of a human organ in connection with the donation of the organ.
A program has been created in the state that attempts to control the weather.
20.003. Weather Modification and Control Grant Program
The department shall develop and administer a program awarding matching grants to political subdivisions of this state for weather modification and control.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 376, 2.01, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.
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.
It is illegal to take more than three sips of beer at a time while standing.
Up to a felony charge can be levied for promoting the use of, or owning more than six dildos.
43.23. Obscenity
(f) A person who possesses six or more obscene devices or identical or similar obscene articles is presumed to possess them with intent to promote the same.
It is illegal for one to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel.
It is illegal to milk another person’s cow.
A recently passed anticrime law requires criminals to give their victims 24 hours notice, either orally or in writing, and to explain the nature of the crime to be committed.
Homosexual behavior is a misdemeanor offense.
21.06. Homosexual Conduct
(a) A person commits an offense if he engages in deviate sexual intercourse with another individual of the same sex.
(b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.
A Supreme Court overturned this law in 2003. That case affected numerous other states with laws still on the books that prohibited oral and anal sex.
The entire Encyclopedia Britannica is banned in Texas because it contains a formula for making beer at home.
Dumb City Laws in Texas
In Abilene, it is illegal to idle or loiter anyplace within the corporate limits of the city for the purpose of flirting or mashing.
In Austin, wire cutters can not be carried in your pocket.
In Beaumont, Collegiate football is banned at Lamar University.
In Borger Texas, it is against the law to throw confetti, rubber balls, feather dusters, whips or quirts (riding crop), and explosive firecrackers of any kind.
In Clarendon Texas, it is illegal to dust any public building with a feather duster.
In Dallas, it’s illegal to possess realistic dildos.
In El Paso, urinating on the streets is illegal and appearing in public places wearing a “lewd dress” is prohibited.
Also in El Paso – Churches, hotels, halls of assembly, stores, markets, banking rooms, railroad depots, and saloons are required to provide spittoons “of a kind and number to efficiently contain expectorations into them.
In Galveston, it is illegal to drive a motor car down Broadway before noon on Sundays. Offensive gestures will not be tolerated at any special event. Bicycles must be operated at a “reasonable speed”. One needs permission from the director of parks and recreation before getting drunk in any city park.
Also in Galveston, no person shall throw trash from an airplane. Landing an airplane on the beach is illegal. No person shall inhale fumes from model glue. Any person who sits on a sidewalk may be fined up to $500.
In Harker Heights Texas, it is illegal to sell Limburger cheese on Sunday. and Beer may not be purchased after midnight on a Sunday, but it may be purchased on Monday.
In Jasper Texas, dogs must be on a leash at ALL times.
In LeFors Texas, it is illegal to take more than three swallows of beer while standing.
It is illegal to drive within an arm’s length of alcohol – including alcohol in someone else’s blood stream in Lubbock County Texas.
In Mesquite, it is illegal for children to have unusual haircuts.
In Port Arthur, obnoxious odors may not be emitted while in an elevator.
In Richardson Texas, it is illegal to do “U Turns” and it is now illegal to place a “for sale” sign on a car if it visible from the street.
In San Antonio, it is illegal to urinate on the Alamo and it is illegal for both sexes to flirt or respond to flirtation using the eyes and/or hands.
In Temple, cattle thieves may be hanged on the spot, but you can ride your horse in the saloon. However, no one may ride a horse and buggy through the town square.
In Texarkana, owners of horses may not ride them at night without tail lights.
