Ky. school bus ad bill passes committee

The state Legislature’s House Education Committee approves House Bill 30, which would allow school boards to sell advertising space on school buses, and give them the authority to decide on the ads’ content. The bill now goes to the full House for consideration.

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January 11, 2012

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FRANKFORT, Ky. — The state Legislature’s House Education Committee approved a bill on Tuesday that would allow school boards to sell advertising space on school buses.

House Bill 30, sponsored by Rep. Terry Mills, is aimed at producing revenues for schools. Officials at school districts would have the authority to decide on the content of advertisements.

Ads of alcohol and tobacco products, as well as political or campaign advertisements, would be prohibited under the bill, but it would not exclude or show preference for specific advertisers within industries, business sectors or other classes identified as appropriate.

Some committee members expressed concern that the legislation could pose safety risks by creating visual distractions to drivers, or could open the door to advertisements for school-inappropriate products.

“I don’t think [excluding alcohol and tobacco] goes far enough,” Rep. Jim DeCesare said. “I think there are a lot of other items out there that we probably don’t want on school buses.”

House Bill 30 will now go to the full House for consideration.

Topics:Kentucky school bus advertising Safety

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