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119-hr-7125119th Congress

Stop Body Camera Paywalls Act

Sponsored By: Representative Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

Introduced

Summary

Guarantees free public access to law enforcement camera footage funded with federal Byrne or COPS grants. It would require state and local governments to certify they do not charge any fees for members of the public to view, access, or obtain copies of specified camera video footage in order to get those grant funds.

Show full summary
  • Families and the public: People seeking body camera, dash camera, or jail and prison surveillance footage would not have to pay fees to view or obtain copies of that footage.
  • State and local governments: A state or locality that does not provide the required certification would be ineligible for funding under Byrne and COPS grant programs.
  • Law enforcement agencies: Agencies that receive distributed grant money would be barred from imposing monetary costs or court fees on the public for accessing covered footage.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Free public access to police video

If enacted, the bill would require a State or local government applying for Byrne or COPS grant funds to include a certification. The certification would say the State, the local government, and any law enforcement agency receiving those funds do not charge anyone money to view, access, or get copies of police camera video. The rule would cover body-worn camera video, dash camera video, jail or prison surveillance video, and other law-enforcement footage. A State or local government that does not give the required certification would be ineligible for those grant funds.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

MI • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

  • Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

  • Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

  • Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

  • Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

  • Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

  • Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

  • Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

  • Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

  • Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

  • Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

  • Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

  • Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

  • Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

  • Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 1/15/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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