Ohio House Bill 314. What is it? Why is it important?
HB 314 is designed to limit the number of public records requests folks can request from their local governments. What is a public records request and how is it different from a FOIA? A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request specifically targets federal government records, while a Public Records Request (PRR) is a broader term used to obtain documents from state, county, and local governments.
In other words, FOIA and PRRs are how We The People get information out of our governmental offices.
Sponsors of the HB 314 say they are targeting “vexatious” requesters. They say the requests are so “voluminous” they harass or disrupt the public office and interfere with the ability for them to do their jobs. THIS IS ABSOLUTE NONSENCE.
Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 149.43 (the Ohio Public Records Act) alongside ORC Section 149.351 and Chapter 149 establishes that public offices must create, maintain, and manage records documenting their activities and make them available to the public. Under Ohio’s Public Records Act and local policies, each public office, or agency designates a specific person as “Records Custodian”, “Records Officer” or “Records Manager”. This role is part of their job description. They are expected to answer records requests as part of their job. There is no disruption of office work, no harassment, just doing their job.
In CitSen’s opinion, HB 314 is a smokescreen to further hide governmental antics and goes against the ORC. As an aside, CitSen uses PRRs all the time. PRRs are instrumental in digging out the truth.
Organizations such as ACLU of OHIO are fighting this bill. Their arguments are that this bill will hinder Ohioans’ ability to learn more about what’s going on in their government. That is surely an obvious statement.
If passed, this bill will allow government officials to drag public records requesters to court when they claim the requester intends to “harass” or “disrupt” a public office with their records requests. (Never mind that there is an employee whose job description includes fulfilling PRRs)
Also included in HB 314 is to allow public offices to hire private third parties to process “voluminous” requests and charge those costs to the requester. (Ouch, you must pay for the truth)
And who determines if the requesters are “vexatious”. Why of course, the government officials. They if “have reason to believe” those requests are “intended to harass the public office” or “disrupt the essential functions” of the government office or entity, off to court we go.
Groups like the ACLU fear HB 314 will be used by government offices to improperly shut out those requesters they deem unpopular, pesky, determined, or of the “wrong” political ideology or beliefs.
The Primary Sponsors of HB 314 are Dani Isaacsohn and Sharon Ray. Rep. Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati), rep24@ohiohouse.gov, (614) 466-5786 and Rep. Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth), who resigned as State Rep as of September 2026.
The Co-Sponsors of the Bill Are: Representatives: Cindy Abrams, Sean P. Brennan, Joseph A. Miller, III, C. Allison Russo, Jean Schmidt and Tom Young.
WHOA, Wait, is that right? Clermont County’s very own JEAN SCHMIDT is a CO-SPONSOR of HB 314, designed to inhibit the rights of the people to obtain documents and records from our government. If she is reelected, this will be Jean Schmidt’s last 2 years as a State Rep and we are likely to see some surprises out of Ol’ Jean. She will no longer have to worry about reelection and we will see where her true loyalties lie.
HB 314 has passed the OH House and was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. There are a couple more steps to go before HB 314 will appear before the Governor for signature.
If this bill is passed, it is easy to forecast some records requestors will not be able to pay the exorbitant amounts demanded by the courts and will stop making requests. This may be the preferred outcome for some government offices.
Please contact your Senator, or a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Ask them not to pass HB 314. The House Reps Sponsors and Co-Sponsors (Jean Schmidt) have already shown us where their loyalties lie as having passed the bill. Obviously, they want to stop people like CitSen and others from obtaining pertinent government information.
Our area Ohio State Senator is Terry Johnson. (614) 466-8082, johnson@ohiosenate.gov or sd14@ohiosenate.gov.
Members of the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee are:
Theresa Gavarone (District 2 | R) — Chair
• Phone: 614-466-8060
• Email: gavarone@ohiosenate.gov
Michele Reynolds (District 3 | R) — Vice Chair
• Phone: 614-466-8049
• Email: reynolds@ohiosenate.gov
Paula Hicks-Hudson (District 11 | D) — Ranking Member
• Phone: 614-466-5204
• Email: hicks-hudson@ohiosenate.gov
Louis W. Blessing, III (District 8 | R)
• Phone: 614-466-8068
• Email: blessing@ohiosenate.gov
Al Cutrona (District 33 | R)
• Phone: 614-466-8285
• Email: cutrona@ohiosenate.gov
Kent Smith (District 21 | D)
• Phone: 614-466-4583 (or check specific district office line)
• Email: smith@ohiosenate.gov
Jane M. Timken (District 29 | R)
• Phone: 614-466-8040
• Email: timken@ohiosenate.gov
Each email or phone call received by these government officials, equates to about 2,000 individuals who share the same feeling.
Make a call, send an email. Help be the solution to the government transparency problem.