Crazy Oklahoma Laws

Laws are always in a continual perpetual pattern. Law makers must change and amend legislation to adapt to the changing times.

With the ever-changing laws, it’s always interesting to look back at previous laws that Oklahoma has adhered to. Some legislation has been amended or removed while others are still on the law books today.

William Henry Davis Murray, also known as “Alfalfa Bill,” was a legendary Oklahoma law maker in the early 1900s. He was also the speaker of the house and governor of Oklahoma.

One of his biggest pet peeves was booking his hotel room to find it had short sheets on the bed. In 1908, he passed a law that required all Oklahoma hotels to have sheets that covered the bed and still have three extra feet of linen to cover the head and feet. The “Nine-foot sheet” law stayed in effect until 1956 when Alfalfa Bill was laid to rest.

Bartlesville has a law that deals with animals that are killed on the road. An animal that is injured or killed on or along public streets or rights-of-way are considered running at large. This makes the owner of the animal responsible for all expenses incurred during the treatment, impoundment and/or the disposal of the carcass.

In Oklahoma City, it is illegal for somebody to trip a pallbearer. According to the city municipal code, “No person shall willfully disturb, interrupt or disquiet any assemblage of people who have met for the purpose of any funeral, or obstruct or detain any person or persons engaged in carrying or accompanying any dead body of a human being to a place of burial.”

Tripping horses is also illegal. Oklahoma laws Section 21-700 shows it is illegal for anybody to promote, engage in, or be employed at a bear wrestling exhibition or a horse tripping event. Anybody found guilty of this crime could face up to a year in jail and/or a fine of $2,000.One must wonder what events took place to force this law on the books.

Oklahoma looks down on adultery, and even makes it illegal. Anybody found guilty of adultery in Oklahoma will be guilty of a felony and will face up to five years in prison and/or a $500 fine. One would think this law would be on the law books of all 50 states. However, only 16 states in the nation consider it illegal.

City employees are not allowed to engage in, cause, instigate, aid or participate in any strike against the city. Any rule breakers could face up to 30 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. IF the strike lasts for seven days, each day will be considered a separate offense.

Bartlesville has more laws that deal with animals. Residents are only allowed two dogs and two cats over the age of six months. Any resident who can prove they owned the pets prior to August 1, 2010, were grandfathered in.

Prior to May 2006, permanent ink was prohibited in Oklahoma. For more than four decades, getting a tattoo in Oklahoma was illegal. On May 10, 2006, Governor Brad Henry signed legislation to eliminate that law. Before eliminating the law, Oklahoma was the only US state to prohibit tattooing.

Other laws that are considered crazy are as follows: Whaling is illegal. Since when is whaling even possible in Oklahoma?

Females cannot do their own hair, unless they are licensed by the state. It is illegal to read a comic book while driving. Shouldn’t that be illegal in every state?

Vehicles must be tethered outside of public buildings. Even though this law was eventually repealed, one must question the point behind it.

People can be jailed for making ugly faces at a dog. It is illegal for somebody to take a bite out of another’s hamburger.

Fish cannot be held in a fishbowl while on a public bus. Cowboys can’t wear their boots to bed without facing criminal charges. Nobody is allowed to kiss longer than three minutes. In Bromide, it is illegal for children to use towels as capes and pretend to be Superman. The Mayor of Clinton must sign a special permit for dogs to congregate in groups of three or more on private property.

Know of a crazy law? Email them to shalene@madillrecord.net.