TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Florida Senate today debated and passed an amendment to impose a $60 fine on Truck Nutz, the novelty vehicle adornment attached to trailer hitches that resemble the dangling southern end of a northbound bull.
The popular accessory to truck trailer hitches is on its way to being subject to a fine in a bill debated -- albeit delicately -- on the Senate floor Thursday.
Although lawmakers said they're widespread in North Florida, the bill says that displaying reproductions of bull genitalia -- one version has the brand name Truck Nutz -- on a vehicle or trailer can lead to a $60 fine, charges of a moving violations, and points against a driver license.
The ban was proposed by Sen. Cary Baker, R-Eustis, who said the items are "not appropriate," even though he sees a lot of them in his district.
Other members agreed on their popularity, but questioned how worthwhile a crackdown might be. Sen. Jim King, R-Jacksonville, said he had a set on one of his vehicles, which he described as "all pimped out." They are no more than "an expression of truckliness," he said, although he'd acceded to his wife's request to take them off.
Other members found the fine excessive, and some thought the whole matter absurd.
"I find it shocking we'd tell people with metallic testicles on their bumpers that this is a violation," said Sen. Steve Geller, D-Hallandale. "There's got to be better things for us to spend time debating."
Geller suggested this ban might be followed by prohibiting silhouettes of nude women on truck mud flaps or decals depicting a small boy relieving himself on another truck logo.
"We're basically going to have the bumper police," King said.
"All their concerns are legitimate," Baker said of the critics. "And I do have more important things to do this session. But I think this is important, too."
Baker said he's heard from many people who don't like seeing the novelties, "so the ones who complained will like it. My wife will like it," he said of potential ramifications.
As for others' concerns that lawmakers may be "headed down a slippery slope" as King said about the ban, Baker said "anytime you deal with obscenity it's a large gray area," but he believes the ban is worthwhile. Although bull genitalia is currently in fashion, Baker said he used the words "reproductive glands" in the bill because other versions could be produced later.
The bill was debated Thursday, and a vote is expected next week. The House version, however, does not have the ban, and some senators questioned whether House leaders would unleash that debate. Baker said he did not check with the House sponsor on the change.
Debate on the ban began Wednesday, but the discussion became so high-spirited Senate leaders postponed the matter.
"We're not going to have what happened yesterday," Senate President Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, warned committee chairmen before going on the floor Thursday.
But an effort to remove the ban failed on a close-sounding voice vote called by Pruitt -- a decision some members found surprising.
"But the Senate President is always right" on such calls, King said.
Where does one even buy mettalic bull balls?
Looks like something you could pick up from Spencer's or The Shed. Probably could find em online too.
Personally I think its silly. Yes they are a dumb accessory to hang on your vehicle but is it bad enough to waste time passing laws about?
the biggest question i have is, why would anyone want them? if a guy is lacking, does he really feel like he needs to display a pair on his truck to make up or it.
a total lack of healthy esteem
take great pride at looking stupid.
granted, the novelty propeller hitch cover is entertaining, the LED hitch covers are useful, but there truly is no more purpose than to display your true lack of masculinity than to attach a set of testicles to your trailer hitch.
When you see these attached to a vehicle, you can be assured the only redeeming value the owner has in his possession to "provide" for you is maybe the use of his fingers, and that's not a lot to look forward to, ladies....
and to be honest, guys, those nuts hangin from yer truck look gay.
brian, how many do you see living in florida? is there tons of people with these, so they feel they need to ban them? i have only seem them once. i'm not for banning them as a personal expression, but i do think they are not appropriate.
know there's a set hanging off a hitch
down here they're on trucks driven by rednecks and migrants
i wonder how many guys on sb have them. like i said, i only saw them once, but it wasn't on a truck, it was on a mazda i saw a little over a week ago. the guy seemed pretty proud to show me had had powder pink ones. on the front of his car he had a car bra, any ideas what that means?