The Danger of H.B. 315: A Threat to Transparency and Justice

Kevin Claiborne, just like you, 2021. Via Artsy

Hey folks, I had hoped to begin 2025 with a message of kindness and optimism, a fresh start for a new year. But as the headlines poured in—the truck attack in New Orleans, the cybertruck explosion outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, and the shooting outside a club in Queens—it became clear that relief would not come easily. And then Ohio added its own bullshit with the passage of H.B. 315. While I wanted to bring you a hopeful message, I cannot in good conscience ignore the troubling events unfolding around us. Now let’s get into this controversial legislation.

In the early morning hours, Ohio lawmakers passed an omnibus bill—H.B. 315—that contains a provision that will significantly hinder public access to vital video footage of police and jail incidents. Signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine, this provision allows governments to charge up to $75/hour for retrieving video records, with a cap of $750 per request.

The bill, while on its face, may not appear overtly discriminatory, its consequences certainly will disproportionately harm marginalized communities, including the poor,  particularly Black and brown people, who are often the most affected by police brutality and misconduct.

Moreover, what makes this policy even more dangerous is how it was introduced. H.B. 315 was pushed through the legislative process without prior hearings or public discussion. The provision was effectively slipped into a massive, 450-page bill, passed in the dead of night—during a "lame duck" session, a time often criticized for controversial legislation being rushed through without transparency. The lack of public input on this specific provision further erodes trust, or whatever little is left, in the political system, especially when calls for police reform and greater transparency are louder than ever.

In my opinion, this bill, in its procedure and practical implications, mirrors the problems with cash bail systems that disproportionately hurt poor—especially Black and brown, communities. Like the financial burdens of bail, this provision creates an unjust system where the poor are effectively shut out of the very records that could aid their fight for justice.

Legal experts have pointed out that this bill could restrict access to key evidence, with implications not only for criminal defense but also for the pursuit of justice in cases of police violence. H.B. 315 could especially impact marginalized communities, for whom video evidence is often the most powerful tool in challenging police actions.

Whites and moderate-wealth individuals might assume this won’t affect them, but nothing could be further from the truth. Surveillance now dominates public spaces, handing control of our streets—once shared commons—to a select few. Even more alarming, they’re turning justice—once more—into a commodity, allowing the already privileged to profit from what should belong to everyone. It’s chilling to live under a watchful gaze we can’t access or challenge. How can anyone—let alone any minoritized community or individual—truly be free under such conditions?  

In similar "lame duck" legislative actions, bills that advance without proper scrutiny have been a pattern across the country. A notable example is Wisconsin's 2010 lame-duck session, during which the legislature passed Act 10 under Governor Scott Walker. The bill significantly curtailed collective bargaining rights for most public-sector employees, including teachers, nurses, and other essential workers. It also increased employees' contributions to pensions and health insurance, effectively reducing their take-home pay. The public was particularly affected because the law reduced workplace protections and destabilized the livelihoods of thousands of workers, leading to a decline in public services such as education and healthcare. Lame-duck sessions are significant for a different reason when we assume that politicians act with the best intentions and urgent matters arise. The factors contributing to a lame-duck session are more often related to unfinished business or pressing issues rather than innovative approaches to reorganizing society at the very last minute.

Ohio's H.B. 315 is a reminder of the danger posed when crucial decisions are made behind closed doors. By implementing costly barriers to accessing police and jail video footage, the state is sending a message, loud and clear, that transparency and accountability are secondary to budgetary concerns. This is a policy that does not just punish the poor, it actively works to protect institutions from public scrutiny, and in doing so, risks perpetuating the very injustices it purports to serve.