Reading legislation can be tricky. It is not a skill everyone has. Writing it and then inserting it into existing law can result in just the sneaky stuff you mention.
Poorly written laws are what given unelected functionaries too much power. They get to decide how the law is to be implemented and (unless challenged) its intention and even interpretation. It is not unusual to find contradictions in what the law reads and how an agency having the rule making authority implements it. And guess where the fun lands. On Joe Q. Public.
Absolutely, they can be too broad and vague as to targeted intent. My own education with this began when I started my first business in Ca. Using purposeful wording, once you get a commercial business license in Ca. they own you in one way or another through laws and regulations. You had better do very extensive homework and understand the laws and regulations that might affect your particular situation front to back with out a doubt.
Example, I was in the auto/truck service business and once got a ticket on a vehicle that was sitting inside my shop being worked on. The ticket was for “operating an expired vehicle on or near a highway” because the tags had expired. In this wording the one word “near” makes the law completely open ended and totally up to the officer’s discretion as to what “near” means. It means ANYWHERE they want, even if it is not being “operated” and on private property inside an open repair shop unless “non-operation” fees and permit have been purchased for the vehicle.
I have been fortunate enough to have gone to court with different Ca agencies many times over the years because of the broad wording of laws and regulations that do not pinpoint detailed definition and are open ended. And there is no way to win, If you are not in violation of one they have one that they can claim you are indeed violating because of broad language. It’s a scam...