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What do blue laws prohibit?
Blue laws, also known as Sunday laws, are laws designed to restrict or ban some or all Sunday activities for religious or secular reasons, particularly to promote the observance of a day of worship or rest. Both labour unions and trade associations have historically supported the legislation of blue laws.
Why were blue laws called blue laws?
In the United States, “blue laws,” so called due to the blue paper on which Puritan leaders printed the Sunday trade restrictions, date back to the 18th century at least. Many forms of commerce were regulated or restricted so that workers should spend time in church or with their families.
When did the blue laws change in Texas?
The 87th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1518 in the spring and it went into effect on Wednesday, Sept. 1. The law amends the Alcoholic Beverage Code which previously required grocery stores and convenience stores wait until noon to sell beer and wine.
What year did the blue law end in Texas?
1985
The Texas blue law, enacted in 1961 and repealed in 1985, prohibited the sale of 42 specific items on consecutive weekend days. Among the 42 banned items were items like cars and liquor, but also items like knives, pots, pans and even washing machines.
When did the blue law stop?
On November 8, 1966, Washington state voters adopted Initiative 229, repealing the so-called “Blue Law,” which had been enacted in 1909.
When did the blue law start?
In 1781, the Reverend Samuel Peters published A General History of Connecticut, in which he used the term blue laws to refer to a set of laws that the Puritans had enacted in the 1600s to control morality.
Does the blue law still exist in Texas?
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, commonly known as the “Texas blue law,” was enacted in 1961 as a way to regulate shopping on Sundays and observe it as a day of worship or rest. It was repealed in 1985, however, some remnants of the old-fashioned law linger, like the prohibition of the sale of cars and liquor.
What are weird laws in Texas?
Eating your neighbor’s garbage without permission can land you in jail for trespassing and property theft. It’s illegal in some cities in Texas to sell Limburger cheese on Sunday. In Texas, it is illegal to milk another person’s cow. The Texas Penal Code states that doing so results in a fine of no more than $10.
What states have blue laws?
Since then, many blue laws have been upheld in state court challenges, including in New Hampshire (1967), North Dakota (1970), South Carolina (1970), Vermont (1970), Iowa (1971) Arkansas (1973), Maryland (1974), Mississippi (1975), Maine (1976), Texas (1976), Massachusetts (1977), Virginia (1977) and New Jersey (1978).
Could Texas become a blue state?
Texas probably will not turn blue in 2020, but it will in the not too distant future, assuming present trends continue.
When did Texas repeal blue law?
Blue laws have been in effect in Texas since 1863. A repeal of the last Texas blue law, passed in 1961, was signed in May by Gov. Mark White.
What are some examples of blue laws?
Blue laws may also prohibit retail activity on days other than Sunday. In Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maine, for example, blue laws prohibit most retail stores, including grocery stores, from opening on Thanksgiving and Christmas.