Walkathon limits in Michigan

In Michigan you shall not "promote, conduct, or participate in any endurance contest known as a walkathon or similar endurance contest." (Mi. Stat. § 752.161) This does not apply if the event begins and ends on the same day or lasts a predetermined time less than 12 hours.

Has Michigan had a problem with walkathons lasting for days on end?

Ah, don't forget the penalty. Violations are punishable by a fine not to exceed $100, or up to 90 days in jail (I suppose to rest from the walkathon), or both. (Mi. Stat. § 752.162)

Apprenticing Your Children

In Louisiana, parents have "the right to bind their children as apprentices." (La. Civ. Code Book 1, Title 7, Chap. 5, § 1:220)

Many a parent might like to do that!

Pregnant Pig Protection

Sometimes a law is only silly because of where it is, and how it got there. In Florida it is illegal to confine a pregnant pig so that it cannot turn around freely.

Nice animal cruelty law, right? It's in Florida's CONSTITUTION. (Article X, Section 21) It was put there as a result of an initiative petition in 2002. That means that enough voters in Florida saw this as important enough to put on the ballot and vote it in as part of the state constitution!

California Boxing

In California, Cal. Penal Code § 4131/2 states, "Any person or persons holding, or conducting, or participating in, or present as a spectator, at any boxing exhibition held on Memorial Day, May 30, or on Sundays, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. . ."

Six months in the county jail for going to see a boxing match on Sunday?

How Often is Land Moved, Anyway?

According to Louisiana law (La. Civ. Code Sec.2:2-462), "Tracts of land, with their component parts, are immovables." So how often do people in Louisiana try to move a tract of land?

Laws Don't Keep up with Technology

Mississippi Code Sec. 45-11-37 requires exterior doors to public buildings "where people are wont to assemble" to open outward, for fire protection reasons.

What makes this silly? The law has not been updated, so TECHNICALLY buildings with sliding doors are illegal. This is one of those I cannot imagine anyone enforcing, but every business with sliding doors violates this law.

Leave Fifi at Home, Juneau?

In Juneau, Alaska, animals are not allowed in barbershops or hairdressing salons (Ordinances Sec. 36.25.010). So Fifi has to stay home while her mommy has her hair done. It is not mentioned in this ordinance, but I presume there is an exception for seeing-eye dogs.

Residency Requirement for Boxers

In Louisiana, you may not participate in a professional boxing match unless you have been in the city where the match will be held for at least three days before the contest. (La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 4:77)

No Alcoholic Candy in MA

In Massachusetts, it is illegal to sell candy containing a liquid or syrup containing more than one percent alcohol. (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 270, §270:8)

Hide Your Car Collection in Colorado!

In Colorado, according to Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-12-103, a car collector may store his cars on his own property, as long as they "are effectively screened from ordinary public view by means of a solid fence, trees, shrubbery, or other appropriate means." Okay, then you can collect cars, as long as they are out of sight.

So, if your car collection is hidden, why does the statute go on to say that "Such storage areas shall be kept free of weeds, trash, and other objectionable items." No one can see it, but you have to keep it clean and neat?

Potted Plants in Cemeteries

In Dallas, Texas, potted plants are allowed at cemeteries, but will be removed after 10 days. In addition, Christmas wreaths may remain on graves until January 31.

At least there is no order detailing what color flowers may be used, or how high the stems must be cut.

(Code 1950, § 10-41; Ord. No. 25690, § 14, 10-24-57; Code 1959, § 9-32;
Ord. No. 39758, § 10, 7-29-71)

Dumb Government Rulings: Another "Duh" Recall

How about a voluntary recall (Consumer Product Safety Commission release #09-220) of folding toy beach chairs? Build-A-Bear Workshop apparently sold these for about $8 US as folding beach chairs for stuffed animals. Eight injuries have been reported, and this is the hazard reported by the CPSC: “This toy chair legs can bruise, pinch or cut fingers if caught while folding.”

It was recalled because a child can pinch his or her fingers while folding up a toy folding chair? For many parents, this would be an opportunity to teach children about being careful. Who would report a pinched finger to the authorities? And, by the way, there were about 270,000 of these chairs sold in the US and Canada between March, 2001, and October, 2008, with eight pinches reported.

No Swimming in the Trinity River!

In Dallas, Texas, it is illegal to enter the water of a river, stream, or pond with the intent to "swim, bathe, wade or go in the water" (with exceptions) unless signs allowing it are posted by the Parks Department. (Ord. 14971)

Alabama Honey?

In Alabama, a product "which is in semblance of honey," regardless of whether or not it contains any honey, may not have the word "imitation" in its name. (Ala. Code § 2-11-122)

I could understand not using the word "honey" to describe a honey substitute, but forbidding the word "imitation?"

Sundays in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, it is illegal to attend or participate in dancing, games, fairs, sports, plays, or other public diversion for which a fee is charged on Sunday unless the appropriate license has been obtained. (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 136 § 2)

The peculiar part of this is that folk dancing and square dancing are exceptions. So unlicensed ballroom or disco dancing on Sunday is illegal, but unlicensed square or folk dancing on Sunday is legal.

Colorado Obscenity

Colorado (Rev. Stat. 18-7-101) law's definition of obscene "material" "does not include an actual three-dimensional obscene device." So vibrators designed for sexual stimulation are "obscene devices," not "obscene materials."

This is an important distinction, since the obscenity law (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-7-102) refers to promotion of obscenity or wholesale promotion of obscenity. The crime involves obscene "material," so I suppose you can be as raunchy as you wish with three-dimensional devices, so long as you are not using something aural or two-dimensional.

Government Dating?

In Illinois, the government is exempt from the laws regulating "dating referral services." (§ 815 ILCS 615/10)

So how many governmental entities are in the business of competing with e-harmony and the like anyway?

Florida - Which is Worse This Time?

According to Florida's sentencing guidelines (Fla. Stat. Sec. 921.0012), a lewd exhibition in the presence of an elderly person (level 5) is a more serious felony than battery on a person 65 years old or older (level 4). Yes, showing porn to an older person is apparently worse than beating him or her in the Sunshine State.

Oregon Air Bags

In Oregon, if you are not a motor vehicle dealer, automobile repair facility or certified dismantler, it is illegal to possess more than two (2) undeployed air bags that have been removed from a vehicle. (Or. Rev. Stat. § 167.824)

Michigan Navy

In Michigan, "all members of yacht clubs and other organizations formed for the pursuit of aquatic sports and pastimes" are subject to call up for the naval militia. (Mich. Stat. Ann. § 33.1) So I guess that includes members of a water polo team or a swim club?

Oregon - Molesting Predators?

In Oregon, it is illegal to molest a noxious or predatory animal killed in a government trap set out to control such animals. (Or. Stat. § 610.050)