Fees for law enforcement video records (ORD-0027-2026)
Gahanna
Summary
Gahanna wants to charge for copies of police video records to manage a surge of AI-generated records requests. The update writes in existing state exemptions so victims, their attorneys, and insurance companies aren't charged.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jul 20, 2026.
Impact analysis
Could add revenue from records request fees, while sparing victims and insurers from paying.
City staff get a tool to handle abusive or automated records requests; victims and their families avoid fees.
People filing large numbers of records requests could face new fees.
Mentions & discussions (3)
Committee of the Whole — July 20, 2026
Gahanna wants to charge for copies of police video records to manage a surge of AI-generated records requests. The update writes in existing state exemptions so victims, their attorneys, and insurance companies aren't charged.
City Council — July 6, 2026
The city attorney wants authority to let the records commission charge for staff time on mass body-cam and cruiser footage requests, citing bots that generate 20 valid requests a minute at other agencies. Some councilmembers want stronger exemptions for use-of-force footage.
Committee of the Whole — July 6, 2026
A proposed code change would let the Records Commission set fees — including staff time — for large automated body-camera records requests. Councilmember Bowers raised transparency concerns; exemptions for use-of-force incidents may be broadened.
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