Bill would allow ads on Kentucky school buses

FRANKFORT, Ky. — State Rep. Brad Montell has pre-filed a bill to be considered during the Legislature’s 2011 regular session that would allow advertisements to be placed on the exterior of school buses.

Under BR 242, local school boards would determine the length and terms of advertising contracts. The advertisements could not interfere with the effectiveness of any required reflective materials or warning equipment on the buses.

In addition, they would only be permitted on the exterior portions of a bus below the bottom of the windows: from behind the front wheel to the front of the back wheel, and from behind the back wheel to the end of the bus.

Advertising of any alcohol or tobacco products, or political or campaign advertisements would be prohibited.

Local school boards would be required to allocate 50 percent of the net advertising proceeds for classroom use, and a minimum of 25 percent for offsetting the cost of student transportation.