Just $25 to File, No Lawyer Required: Assessing an Alternative Public Record Complaint Procedure

By Mitch McKenney, November, 2025

This article examines an Ohio law aimed at resolving public-record access disputes quickly and at low cost.  The 2016 statute allows those denied a record to pay $25 and file a one-page form to start an expedited case in the state’s Court of Claims, saving time and attorney fees. While other states offer attorney general or ombuds help in records disputes, none has a process that initiates a court action this way. Using data from the   nearly 900   cases, a survey, and   interviews   with stakeholders, the article assesses how well the process works and if other states should emulate it. Comparisons, as well, are made with systems in Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

Comparison:  Good.  Fast.  Cheap.  Pick two.  Independent enforcement mechanisms in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Ohio have their pros and cons, when compared (see Table 1, below). Pennsylvania’s system processes more appeals and at a much faster rate than the other two states, but costs the most for taxpayers, and rulings appear to favor government.  Connecticut’s commission has the authority to address vexatious requests, fine agencies, and seems moderately priced, but takes the longest for resolution. Ohio’s system is the most affordable for taxpayers, appears to favor requesters the most, but handles far fewer appeals and charges appellants.