Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Enacts Law To Charge Public For Access To Police Videos

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Enacts Law To Charge Public For Access To Police Videos

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed a contentious bill that could impose significant fees on the public for accessing footage from law enforcement, including body and dash cameras.
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The provision, part of H.B. 315, was quietly added to the roughly 450-page omnibus bill passed during a 17-hour lame-duck session.
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It allows law enforcement agencies to charge for the “estimated cost” of processing video requests, with fees up to $75 per hour and a maximum cap of $750 per request.
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Critics argue this could restrict access to public records like police body cam footage and jail surveillance videos. Legal experts have raised concerns about transparency, as the provision was introduced without public hearings.
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Governor DeWine defended the decision, stating, “It’s not a question of whether you get it or how fast you get it. It’s simply a question of public policy — are we going to require reimbursement for that?” He added that while he supports police cameras, their widespread use has increased the workload associated with managing video footage.
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DeWine announced his decision, including signings and line-item vetoes, late at night. Lawmakers passed the bill around 2 a.m. The governor’s power to make line-item vetoes allows him to remove specific provisions within legislation containing appropriations, but this particular measure was allowed to remain.

*Are you in support of this bill?*(VIA: @abc5)