Proposed Bill Would Allow Advertising on School Buses

The legislation would give school districts the ability to use existing resources as a new revenue stream. 

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INDIANAPOLIS - An Indiana lawmaker has authored legislation that would allow school corporations to display commercial advertising on school buses, providing districts an optional tool to support school operations.

House Bill 1059, authored by Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh), would allow school districts to display limited commercial advertising on school buses under locally adopted guidelines.

The legislation would give school districts the ability to use existing resources as a new revenue stream. 

Under the bill, advertisements would adhere to several restrictions. Each school bus could display no more than two advertisements, each measuring up to 36 inches in height by 90 inches in width, including borders and framing. Advertisements must also feature black text on a white background and may not cover structurally important areas or cause damage to the bus. School corporations could impose other restrictions as they determine what is appropriate advertising. 

Similar laws allowing school bus advertising are already in place in several states, including Arizona, Texas and California. These states have used revenue generated from school bus advertising to support teacher pay increases, purchase instructional materials, address facility maintenance needs and offset rising transportation costs such as fuel.

House Bill 1059 was referred to the House Education Committee for consideration.