A new measure approved by the Ohio state legislature could potentially impact individuals seeking copies of police and jail videos in the state. If signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine, the amendment would allow state and local law enforcement agencies to charge fees for providing these records.
The amendment, which was introduced and passed after midnight by the GOP-controlled legislature, permits agencies to charge up to $75 per hour for videos from body cameras, dashboard cameras, and surveillance cameras inside jails. The fees would be capped at $750 per request for each department involved.
Advocates for the First Amendment and government transparency have expressed concerns about the measure, stating that it could hinder public access to important records. Critics argue that the potential costs associated with requesting these videos may be prohibitive for watchdog groups and media organizations.
The bill has received mixed reactions, with State Attorney General Dave Yost supporting it as a way to address the expenses and labor involved in fulfilling these requests. Yost highlighted the impact of social media influencers and YouTube creators on overwhelming police departments with video requests.
However, opponents of the measure, including the Ohio ACLU chapter and the Ohio News Media Association, have criticized the lack of transparency in the legislative process. They were caught off guard by the swift passage of the bill and are urging Governor DeWine to veto it.
If enacted, the law would mark a departure from a longstanding state court ruling that limited charges for public records to the costs of the physical item the record was copied onto. The potential implications of this measure on government transparency and accountability have sparked debate among various stakeholders in Ohio.
