Texas, known for its legendary cowboy culture and southern hospitality, is the most populous state in the south-central region of the United States. The state boasts of some absurd laws that make no sense. These regulations frustrate residents who may value personal freedom or business owners who may be looking to start or expand their operations. Let’s take a look at eighteen of such absurd laws that are driving residents to other states:
No Buying Cars on Sundays
Texas does not have a law prohibiting car dealerships to be open on Sunday. However, it does have a law that dealerships cannot remain open for both Saturday and Sunday- it must be closed for one of them. Even on a holiday weekend, it is illegal for a Texas car dealership to be open the whole time. So most dealerships choose to be closed on a Sunday.
The law requiring dealerships to be closed on certain days dates back to something called the “blue laws”. They began in colonial times and were used to regulate how people spent their time on Sundays to encourage more pious behavior and observance of the Sabbath.
Obscure Alcohol sale hours
Texas has strict rules regarding the sale of alcohol, especially on Sundays, when buying liquor is prohibited and beer and wine sales are delayed until noon. This inconveniences residents and affects their leisure activities, prompting some to move to states with more liberal laws regarding alcohol.
Weird weather modification
Under Texas laws, any attempt to modify the weather requires a permit. This includes activities like cloud seeding, which can increase rain or decrease hail. Such specific regulation may seem overbearing to people invested in agricultural advancements, pushing them to states with fewer restrictions on technological innovations in farming.
Mandatory hour-long lunch breaks
Texas laws require workers in certain industries to take a compulsory break of at least 30 minutes for every shift longer than six hours. However, some companies extend it to a full hour regardless of the employee’s preferences. This can be frustrating to some employees who want a shorter break to end their shift earlier.
Restrictive home baking sales
In Texas, individuals who wish to sell baked goods from home have to face a complex set of regulations which includes where the goods can be sold and strict labeling requirements. This red tape stifles small home-based businesses which pushes the budding business owners to states with less stringent regulations.
Unusual knife laws
Texas has restrictive knife laws, where there are specific restrictions on carrying knives with blade lengths over 5.5 inches in public places. This can be confusing as the state otherwise has a lenient stance on weapons like firearms.
Surprising landscaping laws
Some cities in Texas have ordinances that limit the percentage of your front yard that can be covered in turf grass and encourage the use of drought-resistant landscaping instead. These laws can be seen as overbearing even though they are environmentally motivated as some people prefer to keep traditional lawns.
No voting without an ID
Texas is strict about requiring a photo ID to vote, a law that has been widely criticized for disproportionately affecting lower-income voters and minorities. Many residents are unable to obtain proper identification due to financial or bureaucratic barriers leading to exclusion from the voting system.
Odd rules against collecting rainwater
Collecting rainwater is not prohibited in Texas but it comes with specific regulations that must be followed, like rules relating to what type of container can be used and how to utilize the collected water. These rules and regulations are unnecessary and bureaucratic, especially for those interested in sustainable living practices.
Mandatory pet registration
Several Texas cities require their pet owners to register their pets with the city. This requires payment of some fees and in some cases, comes with compulsory microchipping. This can be seen as an infringement on the rights of pet owners and unnecessary. Many pet owners may relocate to more pet-friendly areas where such regulations are not imposed.
Prohibition on tire burning
Texas laws prohibit the burning of tires which can be seen as a pollution hazard. This step is taken to protect the environment. But in rural areas, tire burning is the traditional means of waste disposal and this may frustrate the rural people. The law pushes rural residents towards more environment-friendly waste disposal methods.
Restrictive drone usage
Texas laws place restrictions on the usage of drones particularly for capturing images or videos of private property without consent. This may restrict photographers or videographers who may be using drones for artistic or commercial purposes without any ill intentions.
Limitations on Lemonade stands
Local regulations require permits for children’s lemonade stands, a rule that stands for bureaucratic overreach for many. This can stifle the entrepreneurial spirit of the young people and frustrate parents. They may consider moving to locales where there are no such restrictions and where entrepreneurship is promoted.
Ban on smoking in public places
Texas imposes a ban on smoking in public places, which may be beneficial for public health purposes but the smokers may feel restricted. This law reflects a broader trend of regulations on personal habits, making some residents consider moving to places where there are no such restrictions.
Strict public indecency laws
Texas has strict public indecency laws that some residents find very conservative especially in liberal areas. The enforcement of these laws can vary widely, sometimes they may attract unexpected penalties for seemingly minor violations.
Zoning laws limiting business opportunities
In Texas, restrictive zoning laws may limit where businesses can operate, affecting business owners who wish to start or expand their businesses. These rules and regulations may restrict business growth and innovation, pushing entrepreneurs to more business-friendly states.
