SALT LAKE CITY — A bill introduced by Rep. Jim Bird to the state Legislature earlier this month was rejected in a 27-44 House vote on Monday.
The legislation would have allowed school districts to sell advertising space on the exterior of school buses. Advertisements would have been required to be “age appropriate.” Ads containing sexual and political material, as well as those promoting illegal substances and activities for minors such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs and gambling would have been prohibited, The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
The developments on Monday mark the second time a bill from Bird advocating school bus advertising was rejected.
Bird hoped to pass the bill as a way to help raise additional money for school districts. The Legislature’s fiscal analyst estimated that school bus ads could produce as much as $3.3 million a year for schools, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
However, representatives worried that advertisements on school buses could cause safety problems and legal issues for school districts.
Utah school bus advertising bill rejected
The House votes 27 to 44 against the legislation, which would have allowed school districts to sell advertising space on the exterior of school buses. Representatives feel that the advertisements could have caused safety and legal problems for school systems.
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