HB 315: The Silent Threat to Transparency and Accountability

A dangerous and undemocratic provision has been quietly added to Ohio’s House Bill 315, the final bill passed before the legislative session ended. This provision, which fundamentally undermines government transparency and accountability, was inserted without any public hearings, testimony, or debate. The lack of notice was no accident, it was a calculated move designed to avoid scrutiny and public opposition.

The provision allows (but does not require) Ohio law enforcement agencies to charge the public up to $75 per hour, and up to $750 total, for fulfilling requests related to video records. This includes the retrieval, redaction, uploading, and production of body-camera and dash-camera footage records that are critical to ensuring accountability in cases of police misconduct.

Consider this scenario:

• A controversial police shooting occurs. Advocates, journalists, and family members of the victim seek access to body-camera footage to understand what happened.

• The cost? They could be required to pay hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars upfront to access these “public” records.

• Multiple cameras, multiple fees: If several officers were involved, each with their own footage, the costs could quickly spiral out of reach.

This provision is a direct attack on the public’s right to know, particularly in cases of police violence. It creates a financial barrier that will disproportionately affect grassroots organizations, families of victims, journalists, and activists those who are most often seeking justice and accountability.

Here’s why this is so harmful:

1. A Blow to Transparency: Policing is one of the most critical areas of government authority. The public has a right to understand the circumstances under which officers use force, including lethal force. By imposing a paywall on access to body-camera footage, HB 315 makes it significantly harder to scrutinize these incidents.

2. Financial Discrimination: Many local organizations working on police accountability issues already operate on shoestring budgets. Adding a potential $750 fee for accessing records makes it impossible for them to do their work. Families of victims, who often seek justice while navigating the trauma of losing a loved one, may also be unable to afford these fees.

3. Strategic Secrecy: This provision was added with no legislative hearings or testimony, ensuring that the public had no opportunity to challenge it. This deliberate lack of transparency speaks volumes about the intentions behind the provision. It is not about administrative efficiency, it is about limiting oversight.

4. Unequal Application: Because the provision is optional, individual law enforcement agencies can choose whether to implement it. This creates a patchwork of policies across Ohio, where some communities will face higher barriers to transparency than others. Given the historical impact of systemic racism and redlining, these fees are likely to disproportionately affect low-income, Black, and Brown communities already subjected to over-policing.

5. A Tool for Suppression: The vague language of the bill could allow agencies to selectively enforce these fees, targeting individuals and organizations they see as a threat. Journalists, activists, and watchdog groups who frequently request records could be priced out of their ability to hold agencies accountable.

This is not an accidental oversight, it is an intentional effort to obscure government actions from public view. By making these records cost-prohibitive, lawmakers and law enforcement agencies can shield themselves from scrutiny. It is no coincidence that this provision was passed quietly and without public input.

The public deserves to know which legislators are responsible for this addition. However, as of now, their identities remain hidden within the Statehouse. What we do know is that these legislators are hostile to the idea of government accountability and transparency.

When the government has the power to take lives, the public has an absolute right to oversee how that power is exercised. This provision erodes that right, creating a system where justice and accountability are available only to those who can afford it.

The fight against HB 315 is about more than fees for body-camera footage, it’s about the principles of democracy, equity, and the rule of law.

• Contact Your Representatives: Demand the repeal of this harmful provision and insist on greater transparency in legislative processes.

• Spread the Word: Share this story with your community to raise awareness about HB 315’s impact.

• Support Advocacy Groups: Contribute to organizations fighting for police accountability and transparency.

We can be committed to amplifying voices that challenge injustice and ensuring our communities stay informed. This fight is far from over, and together, a community of people can hold those in power accountable.