Austin, TX
Here are some of the strangest Texas laws that are still on the books
In Texas, it’s illegal to milk somebody else’s cow.
AUSTIN, Texas — When the 2025 session of the Texas Legislature opened on Tuesday in Austin, it was another round of our lawmaking body facing 21st Century problems under a state constitution that’s 149 years old.
The Texas Legislature meets only every other year, while most state legislatures in the U.S. meet every year. Add to that the fact that the Texas legislative session is relatively brief for a state so big and with so many challenges. Lawmakers meet for just 140 days, while most other state lawmakers meet anywhere from six months to a full year. However, Texas lawmakers can be called back to Austin by the governor for a special legislative session.
While a lot of the state’s business still manages to get done, throughout Texas history what counted as important state business now seems, well, weird.
Here are a few of the strangest laws approved by the Texas Legislature in days gone by:
It’s illegal to milk somebody else’s cow.
Since horses are a form of transportation, they are required to have working taillights when being ridden after dark.
Texas requires that all vehicles have working windshield wipers but does not require that vehicles have windshields.
One Texas bill that almost became a law said that if criminals intend to commit a crime, they are supposed to give their victims oral or written notice 24 hours in advance.
Finally, one of the weirdest things the Texas Legislature did in 1971 was to unanimously approve a resolution honoring Albert de Salvo for being an exemplary citizen. De Salvo was also known as the “Boston Strangler,” who killed several women in New England.
The lawmaker who got that resolution approved said he did it as a joke and quickly withdrew it.
Perhaps it was a good example of why it’s important to actually read to bill or resolution that you’re voting on.
In total, there were eight separate incidents over a span of two days.
AUSTIN, Texas — Austin police arrested a group of people accused of going on a crime spree.
According to police, five young people and two 17-year-olds, identified as Javonni McDowell and Rashon Mosee, were involved in a string of auto thefts, violent carjackings and burglaries at several businesses, including a Tiny Pies Bakery location and The Gents Place barbershop in northwest Austin.
Police said one of the carjackings involved an on-duty security guard whose stolen vehicle and equipment was used in two more carjackings.
The crimes happened over two days starting on Jan. 12. In total, there were eight separate incidents:
- Stolen vehicle
- Security officer carjacking
- Vape shop burglary
- Failed carjacking
- Honda Civic carjacking
- Tiny Pies Bakery burglary
- The Gents Place burglary
- Vehicle pursuits
The suspects were taken into custody around 1:15 a.m. on Jan. 14. Several agencies were involved in the arrest, including Austin police patrol, air, K-9 and robbery units, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.
“In doing so, they ended an ongoing violent threat to the Austin community and prevented further victimization of our citizens and visitors,” police said.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected in the near future, police said.
Lawmakers are back at the Texas State Capitol in Downtown Austin to kick off the 89th legislative session.
Now open
Lightspeed Restoration of Austin
The family-owned business serves the Austin, Buda, Driftwood, Kyle and Manchaca areas with water damage restoration, fire restoration, disaster recovery and air duct cleaning. Owner Jonathan Friedman and his family decided to open Lightspeed Restoration of Austin after Texas’ winter storm in 2021.
Coming soon
F45 Training
The training gym will open a new location on South Lamar Boulevard in April. F45 Training studios offer 45-minute functional workouts focusing on cardio, resistance, a cardio-resistance hybrid and recovery. The new studio will also include F45 Recovery, which features cold plunges, infrared saunas and compressions.
Relocations
Texas Radio Live
Austin’s longest-running live music radio program will relocate to a new home for its 14th season. After 13 years at Guero’s Taco Bar on South Congress Avenue, the show will begin broadcasting from Half Step on Rainey Street at the end of January.
In the news
End of an Ear
Local record store End of an Ear is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Owners Dan Plunkett and Blake Carlisle first opened in 2005 off South First Street before moving to its current location in 2016. The store offers vinyl records, CDs and DVDs. In-store performances have included artists such as Band of Horses, Voxtrot, Alex G and Mitski.
Closings
Couch Potatoes
The Austin-based furniture store will close its south location at the end of January. According to a message posted on the business website, the closure is a “strategic decision to adapt to the evolving retail landscape in Austin.” Couch Potatoes’ other stores in north and Central Austin will remain open.
Zoe Tong
The Barton Springs Road restaurant closed in late December. Zoé Tong’s owners, chefs Simone Tong and Matthew Hyland, announced the Dec. 31 closure in an email to customers and through social media posts.
Sí Baby-Q
The Asian barbecue truck on Zoé Tong’s patio run by Simone Tong and Terry Black’s BBQ alum Jonathan Lagos had its last day of service at Barton Springs Road in December. According to a social media post, Sí Baby-Q actively searching for a new spot.
Confituras Little Kitchen
The baked goods and locally-made jam business closed its brick-and-mortar location in December, according to a social media post. Customers can find Confituras at the Barton Creek Farmers’ Market on Saturdays.
The Beer Plant
The vegan restaurant closed in the Tarrytown neighborhood in late December. The business owners thanked their customers and staff in a message posted to their website. Opened in 2016, The Beer Plant served plant-based brunch and dinner, beer, wine and cocktails.
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