Sponsors (17)
The bill expands free public access to law-enforcement camera footage to strengthen transparency and help victims and journalists, but trades off increased administrative costs, privacy/safety risks, and the possibility that noncompliant jurisdictions will lose federal public-safety grant funding.
Members of the public (including victims, journalists, and community members) can access body-worn camera, dashcam, and jail footage without paying fees, making it easier to obtain evidence and increasing transparency and oversight.
State and local agencies that receive Byrne and COPS funding face a federal incentive to provide no-fee access to footage, encouraging wider adoption of transparency practices across jurisdictions that rely on those grants.
Law enforcement agencies and the jurisdictions that rely on Byrne/COPS grants may lose federal funding if they cannot comply, reducing resources for hiring and other public-safety programs.
Victims, witnesses, and officers may face privacy and safety risks if waiving fees leads to more requests and agencies lack the resources to sufficiently redact or withhold sensitive footage.
Taxpayers and local governments may incur increased administrative costs to process a higher volume of public records requests, forcing cuts or diversion of funds from other services.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Makes receipt of Byrne and COPS grant funds conditional on certifying that no fees are charged for public access to specified law enforcement video footage.
Official title: To prohibit charging for access to certain camera video footage.
Introduced January 15, 2026 by Rashida Tlaib · Last progress January 15, 2026
Prohibits states, local governments, and law enforcement agencies that receive federal Byrne or COPS grant funds from charging any fees or costs to members of the public who seek to view, access, or obtain copies of law enforcement video footage (including body-worn camera, dash camera, and correctional facility surveillance footage). Jurisdictions must certify they do not impose such fees to be eligible for those federal grant programs; failure to certify makes them ineligible for covered funding.