10 Most Ridiculous Laws in Texas

Published on January 10, 2017 at 4:41 am by Amber Hewitt in Lists

What are some of the most ridiculous laws in Texas? Texas is known for being one of the biggest states with a personality to match. You see Texas in the news for outlandish events. The laws in this state are no different. Before you want to start a protest, Texans, hear us out first. Texas has always been a great example of law enforcement and freedom — it’s what the state was created on — but there are some areas of the law that are just baffling.

Here are the 10 most ridiculous laws in Texas, spanning from glue to bicycles, that prove everything is, in fact, bigger in Texas, especially its affinity for the weird legislature. Even though these laws are still on the books, they’re not likely enforced simply because they’re so absurd. Maybe legislators have forgotten these were ever made due to the landscape of politics nowadays.

Librarians at the Legislative Reference Library of Texas unearthed a bunch of these strange laws and researched the history behind them, as some you may find online have been removed or never existed in the first place, like shooting a buffalo out a second-story window. These librarians provide research assistance to the politicians and state agencies.

After you finish reading about these craziest laws in Texas, you may want to check 10 Most Ridiculous Laws in the World, just for comparison. Now, let’s start with the most ridiculous laws in Texas!

10. No person should inhale fumes from model glue in Galveston

(Sec. 24-2. Model glue. Code 1960, §§ 14-16, 14-17)

The law states that no one should inhale fumes from glue “for the purpose of causing a condition of intoxication, euphoria, excitement, exhilaration, stupefaction, or dulling of the senses or nervous system.” People can get high from glue. This only leaves the question of how authorities can enforce this strange law.

9. You need permission from the director of Parks and Recreation before getting drunk in a city park in Galveston

(Sec. 24-2. Model glue.Code 1960, § 15-8(b))

It’s illegal to consume alcohol at a park without a written permit. If you plan to party at a Galveston beach or park, you better check with your city government first.

8. Homosexual behavior is a misdemeanor offense

(21.06. Homosexual Conduct, 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.)

Though this ridiculous law was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2003, starting in Texas in 1994, it was a Class C misdemeanor to engage in “deviate sexual intercourse” with someone of the same sex.

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7. A program was created to attempt to control the weather

(20.003. Weather Modification and Control Grant Program)

Upon reading this section of the weather grant program, it seems as though Texas wants to try to control the weather. Conspiracy theorists rejoice!

6. Any person who sits on a sidewalk may be fined up to $500 in Galveston

(Ord. No. 97-104, § 2, 12-11-97 Sec. 24-17. Impeding sidewalk.)

Wait a second before you think about catching your breath on the sidewalks in Galveston. You could incur a fine up to $500 if you impeded walking traffic. A ridiculous Class C misdemeanor for anyone who gets in the way.

5. Drivers of city vehicles must obey traffic laws in Harker Heights

(§ 70.05 Public Employees to Obey Traffic Regulations.)

It’s a weird concept that this has to be spelled out in a law, but Harker Heights, Texas makes sure anyone who drives a city vehicle is aware that they aren’t special. To be fair, if these drivers want to remain safe in their cars, it’s probably best for them to obey the law that definitely deserves the place on the list of most ridiculous laws in Texas, even if they think the speed limit is too low.

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4. Landing an airplane on the beach in Galveston is illegal

(Sec. 8-11. Landing aircraft on beaches. Code 1960, § 4-30)

If you think about trying to land your plane on Galveston beaches, think again Texans. The law is against you on this one. Airplanes aren’t designed to take off and land on sandy terrain, so this is in your best interest. However, I wonder what happened to make this law necessary.

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3. Bicycles must be operated at a “reasonable speed” in Galveston

(Code 1960, Ch. 21 App., § 68 Sec. 9-4 Speed.)

No, speed racer, no. I wonder if Texans have rocket bicycles that zoom down the street that prompted this ridiculous law to come about. Be careful on the roads in Galveston in case you see a car has pulled over someone on a bicycle. Does this apply to unicycles as well?

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2. You could get up to a felony charge for promoting or owning up to six dildos

(Chapter 43 Public Indecency, Subchapter B Obscenity § 43.21)

Hide your dildo collection from the authorities, Texans. You could face quite a legal battle. Six is a peculiar number to pinpoint. Owning five is fine, but six? No way. This law is so ridiculous I wouldn’t be surprised if people in Texas talked about them freely just out of spite.

1. One must acknowledge a supreme being before being allowed to hold public office

(The Texas Constitution Article 1 – Bill of Rights Section 4 – Religious Tests)

This law tops the list simply because it’s constitutional, which means it’s been in place as long as Texas created its constitution. Surely this was something that made some bit of sense when it was put into place considering the time period, but now it’s so outdated that it’s alienating. Just imagine, atheists can’t be in the government here. That’s how crazy are the most ridiculous laws in Texas.