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)
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
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!
Many a parent might like to do that!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
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!
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!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
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?
Six months in the county jail for going to see a boxing match on Sunday?
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
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?
Monday, May 24, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
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.
Friday, May 21, 2010
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)
Thursday, May 20, 2010
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)
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
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?
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?
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
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)
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)
Monday, May 17, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, May 14, 2010
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)
Thursday, May 13, 2010
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?"
I could understand not using the word "honey" to describe a honey substitute, but forbidding the word "imitation?"
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, May 10, 2010
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?
So how many governmental entities are in the business of competing with e-harmony and the like anyway?
Friday, May 7, 2010
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.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
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)
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
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?
Saturday, May 1, 2010
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)
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