“Blue Bills” refers to historical statutes known as Blue Laws, designed to enforce religious or moral standards, particularly concerning the observance of Sunday as a day of rest and worship. While the phrase might occasionally be used as slang for modern currency, its primary and legal significance is tied to these legislative acts that regulated private and commercial activity. These laws represent a complex intersection of early American morality, religious belief, and government authority.
The Origin and Naming of Blue Bills
The historical roots of Blue Laws trace back to the earliest colonial settlements in North America, particularly those dominated by Puritan and strict Protestant communities. These settlers sought to create a society governed by religious tenets, with legislation acting as a tool to enforce moral conduct. The laws were directly inspired by the Fourth Commandment, which mandates the keeping of the Christian Sabbath, establishing a legal framework for Sabbatarianism.
The precise origin of the name “Blue” remains uncertain. One popular, though likely inaccurate, account suggests the laws were printed on blue paper in colonial New Haven, Connecticut. A more plausible explanation links the term to an 18th-century vernacular usage of “blue” to mean rigidly moral, strict, or puritanical. The phrase may have originated as a derisive term, with critics mocking the overly strict nature of the codes.
Specific Activities Regulated by Blue Bills
These statutes were comprehensive in their reach, attempting to prohibit nearly all secular activity on Sunday to ensure adherence to the day of rest. Prohibitions extended to commerce, forbidding the buying, selling, and trading of most goods, which effectively closed nearly all businesses. Restrictions were placed on all forms of labor and bodily work, exempting only tasks deemed necessary for survival, such as works of necessity or charity.
Recreational and social activities also fell under the control of Blue Laws. Public entertainment, including stage performances, dancing, and professional sports, was outlawed on the Sabbath. Even private activities like hunting, certain types of travel, and engaging in “unlawful pastimes” were often explicitly forbidden. Some colonial codes were hyperspecific, extending to bans on gambling, excessive apparel, and the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Legal Scrutiny and Constitutional Conflicts
Blue Laws faced their most serious constitutional challenges in the 20th century, primarily under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Opponents argued that the laws, by mandating observance of the Christian Sabbath, violated the Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from establishing or endorsing a religion. The Supreme Court addressed this contention in the landmark 1961 case, McGowan v. Maryland, which examined the constitutionality of a state’s Sunday closing law.
The Court acknowledged the laws’ religious origins but ultimately upheld the Maryland statute by focusing on its modern, secular justification. The majority opinion determined that the laws had evolved to serve the secular purpose of providing a uniform day of rest for the general population. This day of rest was deemed to promote the health, safety, recreation, and general well-being of citizens, making the law constitutional despite its historical roots.
Another legal challenge was brought under the Commerce Clause, which grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce. States were generally permitted to restrict local commerce under their police power, but challenges arose when the Sunday closing laws were argued to place an undue burden on interstate trade. This legal precedent further solidified the states’ ability to enforce these statutes by framing them as public welfare measures rather than religious mandates.
The Current Status of Blue Bills
The widespread, general Blue Laws that prohibited nearly all Sunday activity were largely repealed or rendered unenforceable by the late 20th century, often following legal challenges and shifting societal norms. However, vestiges of these laws remain on the books in many states and localities, now justified almost entirely by secular public policy goals. These modern remnants often restrict specific types of commerce or activity, no longer aiming for a universal day of religious observance.
One of the most common remaining examples involves the sale of alcoholic beverages, where many states and counties still prohibit sales before a certain time on Sunday morning or ban the sale of hard liquor altogether. Another prominent example is the restriction on car dealership operations, with numerous states, including Texas and Illinois, legally requiring them to close on either Sunday or both Saturday and Sunday. The secular justification for these restrictions has shifted to promoting employee well-being, reducing traffic congestion, or ensuring a day of rest for workers in a specific industry. Furthermore, certain states like Maine and Pennsylvania still have statutes prohibiting hunting on Sundays.