Odd Laws Still on the Books
A frog that loses its jumping contest, the Paul Buzzo Act and pet snails: real California sections
Lists of strange state laws get passed around with no section number attached. Every one below has one, read from the California codes.
Who handles this in California: legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the California directory.
| The law | What it says | Breaking it |
|---|---|---|
| The lawA frog jumping contest | What it saysAnyone may keep any number of live frogs for frog jumping contests, but a frog that dies or is killed must be destroyed as soon as possible and may not be eaten or used for any purpose. | Breaking itSet by the Fish and Game Code |
| The lawThe Paul Buzzo Act | What it saysNo one in a vehicle, and no pedestrian, may throw a lighted or unlighted cigarette, cigar, match or anything glowing onto or near a road. | Breaking it$100 to $1,000 and at least eight hours of litter pickup the first time |
| The lawA pet snail | What it saysEvery species of land snail and every slug is on the list of animals no one may bring in or keep without a permit. | Breaking itSee the restricted animals page |
| The lawA soldier's tobacco age | What it saysActive duty military personnel may buy tobacco at 18, while the age for everyone else is 21. | Breaking itSee the tobacco page |
Many laws that sound strange are city or county ordinances rather than state law; this page covers only the California codes. Whether a particular act broke one of these sections is a question for a licensed California attorney.
Sources for this section (5)
- Fish & G. Code 6883 — Frogs kept for frog jumping contests
- Veh. Code 23111 — Throwing a lighted or nonlighted cigarette, cigar or match from a vehicle
- Fish & G. Code 2118 — Wild animals that may not be imported, transported or possessed without a permit
- Penal Code 308 — Selling or furnishing tobacco to a person under 21
- Veh. Code 42001.7 — Fines and litter pickup for highway littering
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed California attorney.