Truck nuts illegal? They are now in Idaho

An Idaho law has expanded a state’s statute to criminalize items resembling genitalia such as “truck nuts.” This makes truck nuts illegal.

This new law took effect immediately under an emergency clause to expand the state’s indecent exposure statute to criminalize the public display of breasts, including the aforementioned truck nuts.

No way, truck nuts illegal?

Truck nuts, a vehicle vanity accessory resembling a dangling male scrotum, that some owners attach to their trucks below the receiver hitch as a joke.

That joke, apparently, goes to far.

What the heck?

How did truck nuts become targeting by law to be illegal? Well, it was due to one person who had a problem seeing a female’s exposed breasts.

According to a story in Idaho Capital Sun, Nampa City Councilmember Sebastian Griffin helped craft the bill. He told lawmakers he was shocked to see a topless woman at an event at Lakeview Park in Nampa, where Canyon County Pride was held.

Seeing this woman, he approached the police and was told it wasn’t illegal.

Well, that was too much for him so he pushed lawmakers to pass House Bill 270 expanding the state’s indecent exposure stature to criminalize the public display of breasts, including female breasts, surgically altered male breasts, artificial breasts and items resembling genitalia.

Breastfeeding is explicitly exempted.

The Republican-dominated Legislature passed the bill with strong support: 87 Republican lawmakers voted in favor, while 14 Democratic legislators opposed it.

Idaho Governor Brad Little signed the bill Wednesday and it took effect immediately.

Supporters argue the measure protects public decency and updates Idaho’s laws to reflect modern concerns. Critics contend it could disproportionately affect transgender individuals and men with hormone-related breast development.

Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow (D-Boise) pushed back, arguing the law infringes on First Amendment rights by policing expression.

She also suggested it could lead to enforcement against novelty items like “truck nuts,” ornamental faux testicles commonly hung on vehicle hitches.

“They’re gross, they’re offensive, and kids see them,” Wintrow said. “Police told me this bill would indeed allow complaints to be filed.”

Under the revised law, a first offense is a misdemeanor. A second offense within five years becomes a felony.

Our take on making truck nuts illegal

This creates some interesting questions if you have truck nuts attached to your truck. Do you stop at the border and remove them? Do you ignore the law and just plead ignorance if you are pulled over? Do the police even care to enforce this law?