Legislatures at Work

Fish Waved in Parliament

The parliament was Italy's, and the fish was reportedly a sea bass:   If you want to know why he was waving it, here's the story, but I really think this is one where the waving of the fish (which…


That’s an Omnibus Act All Right

When I was researching South Carolina law for purposes of these posts about the video-rental case, I came across this act and thought, you know, the title of that thing could use a little editing: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE…


Rubber-Duck-Race Bill Expected to Pass in Wisconsin

Well, thanks to the Wisconsin Department of Justice's decision last year to crack down on rubber-duck racing in the village of Mishicot, having concluded said event amounted to illegal gambling, the Wisconsin legislature has had to intervene. The state constitution prohibits…



Flying Kick Delivered During Debate in Turkish Parliament

This is by no means as epic as some of the legislative brawls we've considered before, but it does involve one flying kick and at least three flying iPads (or one that flew three times, it's hard to tell). Also lots of…


Senate Votes to Limit the Filibuster

In a move that there is absolutely no chance they will ever regret making, Senate Democrats today managed to push through a rule change that now makes it impossible to filibuster cabinet and judicial nominations (except for seats on the…



North Carolina Considers Abortion/Motorcycle Safety Bill

Hey, there's been an amendment to North Carolina Senate Bill 353 on motorcycle safety. See if you can tell what's changed. Hint: the bill was originally entitled: AN ACT TO INCREASE PENALTIES FOR UNSAFE MOVEMENTS BY DRIVERS THAT THREATEN THE…


D.C. City Council Takes Time Out to Honor Spiderman

This report began: "The D.C. Council has a full plate for its last legislative session before a two-month summer recess," but since this is the picture they ran with the report— —I'm not sure the plate was really all that full. The guy…


New York Considering Bowling-Shoe Warnings

You know those shoes they make you rent when you go bowling? The special shoes that are so ugly that people won’t steal them and so slippery that they won’t hamper your bowling? But are also so slippery that they…