Va. bill would allow ads on school buses

"Age-appropriate" advertisements could be placed on school buses under a bill introduced for the state's new legislative session. Revenue from the bus ad sales would have to be devoted to the cost of providing pupil transportation.

Thomas McMahon・Executive Editor

January 8, 2013

1 min to read

RICHMOND, Va. — "Age-appropriate" ads could be placed on school buses under a bill introduced for Virginia's new legislative session.

The bill, filed by Sen. Bryce Reeves, would allow school districts to sell commercial advertising on the exterior sides of school buses — under certain conditions.

An ad could not take up more than 35% of the side of the bus. Also, the bill stipulates that ads would have to be "age-appropriate." They could not promote alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gambling or "any business or activity that may be inappropriate for minors, such as a tattoo parlor or an R-rated or X-rated movie."

Also, the ads couldn't promote religions or political matters, and they couldn't contain sexual material.

Advertisers would pay the cost of placing and removing their ads. The local school board would be required to devote the revenue from bus ad sales to the cost of providing pupil transportation.

“What I’m trying to do is allow local school boards the opportunity to decide if they want to advertise,” Reeves told The Free Lance-Star. “What I’m trying to do is allow local school boards the opportunity to raise money.”

Other news on school bus advertising:

• Another bill aims to allow ads on Fla. school buses

• Calif. school bus ad bill dies in committee

Topics:school bus advertising Virginia Management Safety

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