When the last train out of the Congressional station is a behemoth of 7517 pages, you can bet that every strange thing you can possibly imagine will be trying to hitch a ride in the caboose. And the โClean Up the Code Act of 2019โ is one of those strange things.
We agree that cleaning up the main criminal code of the U.S. Federal Government is an important goal. The more interesting story would be how, exactly, the improper transportation of water hyacinths became a criminal violation. And how about that Swiss Confederation coat of arms?
Considering the vast range and size of Title 18 U.S.C., itโs also a little surprising that there are only nine ridiculous items to be stripped out. As things go in Washington, they probably couldnโt come to agreement on a wider array of the truly extraneous in the title. Read on to learn all the other items that are no longer subject to criminal penalties โ but donโt go thinking you can just use that 4-H emblem for anything nefarious! Weโre keeping our eye on youโฆ
TITLE XโCLEAN UP THE CODE ACT OF 2019
SEC. 1001. SHORT TITLE. This title may be cited as the โโClean Up the Code Act of 2019โโ.
SEC. 1002. REPEALS. The following provisions of title 18, United States Code, are repealed:
- (1) Section 46 relating to transportation of water hyacinths.
- (2) Section 511A relating to unauthorized application of theft prevention decal or device.
- (3) Section 707 relating to 4โH club emblem fraudulently used.
- (4) Section 708 relating to Swiss Confederation coat of arms.
- (5) Section 711 relating to โโSmokey Bearโโ character or name.
- (6) Section 711a relating to โโWoodsy Owlโโ character, name, or slogan.
- (7) Section 715 relating to โโThe Golden Eagle Insigniaโโ.
- (8) Chapter 89โProfessions and Occupations.
- (9) Section 1921 relating to receiving Federal employeesโ compensation after marriage
