weird state laws! Jeopardy Template

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100

What is illegal to be on the sidewalks in Alaska?

A) moose B) fish C) cars D) bears

In 1913, the mayor had had enough of the antics of bartender Pete Buckholtz and his pet moose. He refused to stop bringing his large pet to work at the local saloon. To prevent the moose from coming inside, officials crafted an ordinance declaring that moose weren’t allowed on city sidewalks, effectively prohibiting the moose from walking on the sidewalk and into the bar.

100

In Kentucky, it is illegal to do what with your ducklings?

A) mate them B) sell them C) dye them

D) eat them

In the Bluegrass State, it is illegal to dye your bird or rabbit blue, green or any color, unless you are selling them in quantities of six or more. If you’re caught, you could end up paying up to a $500 fine. According to Kentucky’s penal code, it is considered animal cruelty to “sell or exchange, display, or possess living baby chicks, ducklings, or other fowl or rabbits which have been dyed or colored.”

100

In Missouri, having this is unlawful.

A) 1/2 pound burger B) yard/garage sale

C) mismatched socks D) ice in your soda

100

In Delaware, don't do this in your car or you'll be in trouble.

A) change clothes B) eat C) sleep

D) dance

100

In Alabama, it is illegal to drive:

A) Left handed B) sick with the flu

C) blindfolded D) a stick shift

C!
Sounds like word didn't make it to everyone in the Yellowhammer State about the common phrase "Keep your eyes on the road." One Alabama law prohibits driving while blindfolded. You may get a fine or jail time for this.

200

What does a pickle have to do in order to be edible, according to food commissioners in Connecticut?

A) fly B) float C) bounce

D) smell like vinegar

Connecticut is persnickety about their pickles. According to one of their former food and drug commissioners, one of the tests used to determine whether or not a pickle was legally fit for human consumption was that if you drop it 1 foot, it should bounce.

200

In Rockville, Maryland, it is a misdemeanor to:

A) swear B) throw rocks C) crash D) honk

There are plenty of antiquated laws on the books in the state of Maryland, but the city of Rockville, in particular, has a few in place to keep things rated PG for its citizens. It is a misdemeanor to profanely curse and swear or use obscene language upon or near any street, sidewalk or highway.

200

In New Hampshire, it is illegal to have a picnics:

A) in a cemetery B) in your yard

C) in a schoolyard D) in the driveway

Multiple towns in New Hampshire have made it illegal to have a picnic in a cemetery. If you want to dine with the deceased, you’re better off enjoying a meal at the most haunted hotels in America.

200

In Tennessee, you cannot share your password to ____?

A) Netflix B) personal Email C) Halloween.com

D) Disney.com

A!
In the state of Tennessee, it's illegal for individuals to share login credentials for streaming services with anyone who doesn't live under the same roof. This applies to Netflix, iTunes, Hulu, Spotify and more. The “Tennessee Login Law" was passed in 2011 to prosecute hackers selling off passwords and hasn't actually been used to target anyone still using their ex's HBO Go account.

200

In Arizona, it is completely illegal for a donkey to sleep where?

A) in a bed B) in a bathtub C) outside

D) in the barn

In the 1920's, a local dam broke, flooding a rancher's home. The rancher's donkey had become accustomed to sleeping in the bathtub, which filled with water and whisked him miles away. After working to rescue the animal, the town passed a law that prohibits donkeys from sleeping in the bathtub (though it's okay for them to stand in one!).

300

It is illegal to have _______ in Hawaii?

A) garage sales B) hot tubs C) smart cars

D) billboards

Hawaii has a handful of strange laws, some of which are meant to protect the spectacular views of its natural landscapes. For example, it is illegal to erect, maintain or use a billboard, or display any outdoor advertising device.

300

In Massachusetts, what is it illegal to make explosive?

A) cups B) soccer balls C) golf balls

D) watermelons

It is illegal in the state to make, sell or own an explosive golf ball. Golf balls used to be made with liquid centers that were often caustic and could result in an explosion if the balls were cut open. Manufacturers have since switched to solid-core golf balls, but the law still bans the former dangerous design.

300

In Vermont, it's illegal for women to wear _____ without their husband's approval.

A) wigs B) jewelry

C) fake teeth D) high heels

Here's one jaw-dropping law for you: In Vermont, it's technically mandatory for women to get written permission from their husbands if they want to opt for false teeth. Better let your hubby know you're eyeing those shiny veneers.

300

In Utah, you must have a permit to have:

A) pet fish B) pet iguana C) sidewalk chalk

D) keg parties

Utah is home to some beautiful college campuses, but its students have to apply for permits if they want to throw a keg party. The state has a keg beer law that prohibits anyone other than a licensed beer retailer from possessing beer in containers larger than 2 liters.

300

In Indiana, it is illegal to ride a horse over:

A) 5mph B) 15mph C) 20mph D) 10mph

Hopefully your horse has a speedometer! No horse shall be "driven" at a speed above 10 MPH in Indiana, due to high-speed horse races back in the day.

400

In Idaho, it is illegal not to _____:

A) smile B) party C) drive D) work

The city of Pocatello, Idaho, has embraced its identity as the "U.S. Smile Capital” after the mayor passed an ordinance in 1948 making it illegal not to smile. The "Smile Ordinance" was passed to jokingly boost moods after severe winter weather. The law unintentionally remained on the books until it was rediscovered, and became a source of pride for Pocatello.

400

What is illegal in Maryland?

A) eating crawfish B) fortune telling C) driving jeeps D) ownership of lizards

Anyone "pretending to forecast or foretell the future of another by cards, palm reading or any other scheme, practice or device" can be found guilty of a misdemeanor and fined up to $500, or even serve time in jail, according to Maryland State Legislature.

400

It is a petty misdemeanor to __________ while singing the New Mexico national anthems (2):

A) stop mid song B) play on guitar

C) burp D) cry

Patriotic anthems are pretty popular songs at sporting events and other gatherings, but in New Mexico, you better perform them right. It’s a petty misdemeanor in the state of New Mexico to sing only a portion of the national anthem or the state song, “Oh Fair New Mexico.” Both must be sung or played “as an entire or separate composition or number.”

400

Where are you not allowed to randomly "bust a move"?

A) Connecticut B) Ohio C) Maine

D) Washington D.C.

Washington, D.C., is a must-visit destination for history buffs because many of its iconic, historic landmarks are free to visit. 'Demonstrations' are prohibited at the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial and other parks in the National Capital Region. “Demonstrations” include expressive dancing or other entertainment that attracts a crowd of onlookers.

400

In Kentucky, a woman cannot marry the same man ___ times:

A) 1 B) 2 C) 4 D)3

C!
According to Woman's Day, a law in Kentucky forbids a woman from marrying the same man more than three times. Hopefully, third time really is the charm!

500

In Louisiana, you can be sentenced up to ten years behind bars for stealing one of these.

A) bus B) alligator C) police car D) cypress tree

Theft of an alligator is the misappropriation or taking of an alligator, an alligator's skin, or a part of an alligator, whether dead or alive, belonging to another. If the value amounts to $500 or more, they shall be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than 10 years, or may be fined not more than $3,000, or both.

500

In Arkansas, you can't do this near a sandwich shop after 9 p.m.

A) park B) honk C) drive by D) talk on the phone

A hangry fool may be to blame for this law, but hey, most of the sandwich shops are closed in the sleepy state of Arkansas by 9 p.m. anyway. If you do feel the urge to honk after hours, you'll be disturbing the peace and you'll still be hungry!

500

You can only play ____ hours of Bingo a week in North Carolina:

A) 5 B) 2 C) 10 D) 50

North Carolina’s gambling laws are fairly strict. Playing more than 10 hours of bingo in a week actually violates North Carolina’s gambling statutes. Organizations can only conduct or sponsor two bingo sessions per week for no more than five hours each. And no two sessions of bingo can be held within a 48-hour period of time.

500

In Wisconsin, it is illegal to have this on a restaurant table UNLESS specifically asked for:

A) salt B) margarine C) butter D) coffee creamer

As “America’s Dairyland,” Wisconsin takes its milk, cheese and other dairy products seriously. The state has a law on the books that prohibits serving margarine at a public eating place as a substitute for table butter — unless it is explicitly ordered by the customer. Violators can be fined between $100 and $500 and/or imprisoned up to three months.

500

In Louisiana, it is illegal to send a ______ pizza:

A) surprise B) anchovy C) pepperoni

D) cheese-less

Well, we sure do wish this would happen more to us, but sending an unprompted pizza is actually considered harassment in Louisiana! Triple check your address if you live in the Pelican State, or else you may be handing over a $500 fine.