California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed a law banning plastic bags at grocery stores, marking a significant step in the state’s ongoing efforts to combat environmental pollution and promote sustainability. This legislation prohibits the distribution of single-use plastic bags, encouraging consumers to use reusable alternatives instead. The penalties for violating the new plastic bag ban, which will take effect on January 1, 2026, are structured as follows: for the first violation, offenders face a fine of $1,000 per day; for a second violation, the penalty increases to $2,000 per day; and for a third or any subsequent violation, the fine escalates to $5,000 per day.
Alongside the well-known prohibition of plastic bags and the use of likenesses of celebrities without permission, there are several other unusual and lesser-known laws that are illegal. Here are some notable examples:
1. Crying on the Witness Stand: In Los Angeles, it is illegal to cry while testifying in court.
2. Hunting Moths Under Street Lamps: This peculiar law prohibits hunting moths under street lamps in Los Angeles.
3. Releasing Mylar Balloons: In Los Angeles, releasing more than one Mylar or foil balloon into the air is illegal due to environmental concerns.
4. Bathing Two Babies Together: It is against the law in Los Angeles to bathe two babies in the same tub simultaneously.
5. Licking Toads: In Los Angeles, licking a toad is illegal, likely due to health concerns related to certain toxic species.
6. Zoot Suits: Wearing zoot suits is prohibited in Los Angeles, a remnant from historical anti-zoot suit riots.
7. Complaining About Hotels via Mail: It is illegal to complain through the mail about a hotel having cockroaches, even if true.
8. Spitting Restrictions: In Burlingame, spitting is illegal except on baseball diamonds.
9. Flying Kites Over 10 Feet: In Walnut, kites may not be flown above 10 feet over the ground.
10. Walking Camels: In Palm Springs, it is illegal to walk a camel down Palm Canyon Drive between 4 PM and 6 PM.
These laws reflect a mix of historical context, local governance quirks, and societal norms that can vary significantly across California’s diverse cities and communities [1].
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[1] https://www.sevenslegal.com/criminal-attorney/strange-state-laws-illegal-california/587/
[2] https://law.justia.com/codes/california/code-pen/part-4/title-1/chapter-3/
[3] https://www.seiu721.org/how-to-blow-the-whistle-on-waste-fraud-and-illegal-activities.php
[4] https://casetext.com/statute/california-codes/california-government-code/title-2-government-of-the-state-of-california/division-3-executive-department/part-28-civil-rights-department/chapter-7-enforcement-and-hearing-procedures/article-1-unlawful-practices/section-129645-prohibited-acts-by-employer
[5] https://www.dfederlaw.com/california-whistleblower-retaliation-guide/how-to-complain-of-illegal-activities-a-primer-for-the-whistleblower/
[6] https://www.dir.ca.gov/letf/reporting_unlawful_activities.html
[7] https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/howtofilelinkcodesections.htm
[8] https://www.findlaw.com/state/california-law/california-criminal-laws.html