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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2007 > February > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.US‘Buffalo bill’ rides on toward House vote
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The laughter started as soon as Rep. Howard Maxwell opened his mouth this morning about his “buffalo bill.”
“This is an issue I know that is near and dear to all of our hearts — water buffalo,” Maxwell (R-Dallas) declared, drawing chuckles from fellow lawmakers on the House Game, Fish and Parks Committee.
Maxwell is sponsoring House Bill 418, which would remove water buffalo from the list of creatures requiring state wild animal permits. Water buffalo farmers — yes, there are several in Georgia — say the licensing requirement is hurting their business. The annual permits cost $236.
At issue is whether the state should consider water buffalo wild or domesticated animals. Farmers point out that water buffalo have been domesticated for many years in other parts of the world. The horned animals are now prized in the United States for their milk, which is used to make mozzarella cheese and yogurt.
Fellow lawmakers couldn’t resist having a little fun with Maxwell before they voted in favor of his bill in committee, sending it on its way toward a vote on the House floor.
“You do realize you are going to be the one going before the House presenting this [bill]?” committee chairman Bob Lane (R-Statesboro) warned Maxwell, prompting more laughter from the audience.
Rep. Sean Jerguson (R-Canton) joined in, asking Maxwell to pronounce the scientific name for water buffalo — bubalus bubalis.
Maxwell mangled the words a few times before giving up in frustration, saying: “It’s a water buffalo and he has got horns. I’ll practice before I go to Rules Committee I can assure you.”
Lane jokingly warned Maxwell the committee wouldn’t pass his bill until he could learn the pronunciation. The committee unanimously endorsed the measure anyway. The bill is now on its way to the House Rules Committee, which sets the agenda for the House floor votes.
Just as the committee hearing was wrapping up, Rep. Charles Jenkins (D-Blairsville) asked a serious question about water buffalo milk.
“You make cheese, you say, from the product?” Jenkins asked. “Does that mean you milk these things like a cow?”
Maxwell responded: “Yes, sir.”
Jenkins: “I used to milk cows, but I don’t believe I would want to tackle a buffalo.”
Permalink | | Categories: politics
