What's happening
This bill allows school districts (except in NYC) to sell advertising space on outdoor athletic facilities, with certain content restrictions.
Why it matters
Potentially increases local school funding. by allowing districts to generate new, local revenue streams through advertising—without affecting their state aid, which could help address budget shortfalls or fund extracurriculars.
Gives local school boards direct control. over which ads appear, letting districts set their own standards and veto anything they deem inappropriate (beyond mandated bans on tobacco, alcohol, and political ads).
Specifically excludes New York City. , focusing the policy on smaller or suburban/rural districts, which may have fewer alternative funding sources and different community standards.
Raises questions about commercialization of public education spaces. , as it introduces commercial interests onto school property and could spark debate about the influence of advertising on students and the school environment.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Ads on School Fields
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1321
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 14, 2019
Introduced by Sen. FUNKE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to advertising on school athletic facilities
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 1527-d to read as follows:
§ 1527-d. Advertising on outdoor school athletic facilities. 1. The board of education of any school district in the state may enter into a contract for the sale of advertising space on outdoor school athletic facilities including, but not limited to outdoor athletic courts or fields and surrounding fences or the exterior of other related buildings or structures, which are owned or leased by the school district, subject to the limitations set forth in this section.
2. Advertisements for tobacco or alcohol products or for political advocacy shall be prohibited, in addition to any other advertisements for products or services or by sponsors that the board of education deems inappropriate.
3. All advertisements shall require prior approval by the local board of education.
4. Revenue derived from advertisement contracts shall be retained by the school district making such contract; provided that any such revenue shall not impact the calculation or awarding or granting of state aid to such school district.
5. The provisions of this section shall not apply to cities with a population of one million or more.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07072-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to advertising on school athletic facilities
Purpose
This legislation would allow boards of education to enter into contracts for the sale or lease of advertising space on school athletic facilities including, but not limited to athletic courts or fields and surrounding fences or other related buildings or structures.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill would allow boards of education to enter into contracts for the sale of advertising space on outdoor school athletic facilities owned or leased by the school district. This legislation goes on to state that certain ads shall be prohibited, and gives the local boards of education the ability to deem certain products or services as inappropriate to be advertised. All advertisements shall require the prior approval of the local board of education. Revenue will be retained by the school district. This legislation provides an exemption for cities with a population of one million or more.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
At a time when our school districts are facing unprecedented cuts in education funding, we need to look at alternative means for bringing in revenues. Selling or leasing advertising space is a creative way to allow school districts to raise revenue to support important scholastic activities. The state of New York is known for placing mandates on schools, but this bill is optional and at the discretion of each indi- vidual school district to decide.
Legislative history
S.2969/A.4916 of 2015-2016; Passed Senate S.5045-A/A.7703-A of 2013-2014; Passed Senate
Fiscal implications
None. Additional revenue to school districts.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.