But opponents argued the consent notices for footage taken in places where privacy is expected were too onerous to result in video being released.

“This bill does nothing but further the divide between the police and the communities they’re meant to protect,” said Democratic Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa, of Milwaukee. Democratic state Rep. Chris Taylor, of Madison, called the bill a “missed opportunity” to enact standards that work.

“The whole point of these body cameras is undercut by this stupid bill,” said Bill Lueders, president of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, which represents newspapers, broadcasters and other media outlets. “This bill is poorly worded and will result in the denial of access to records that even the police would like to release.”

Body camera footage should be treated like dashcam video, police reports and other records that are presumed to be open unless the agency determines that the harm in releasing them outweighs the public interest in seeing them, Lueders said.

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and Wisconsin Newspapers Association are working on amendments to the bill to increase public access to the body cam footage. Those changes weren’t before the Assembly on Thursday but could be taken up by the Senate, if it elects to debate the bill next year.