What does Preamble of Pro Codes Act do?

This bill aims to amend title 17, United States Code The amendment includes requirements for works incorporated by reference into law The bill has other purposes beyond works incorporated by reference

What does SHORT TITLE. of Pro Codes Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Protecting and Enhancing Public Access to Codes Act.

What does FINDINGS. of Pro Codes Act do?

This section outlines findings regarding private standards development organizations and their role in creating technical and voluntary consensus standards. These standards are utilized by private industry, academia, federal, state, and local governments, and contribute to innovation, commerce, and public safety. The standards development process requires openness, balance, consensus, and due process to ensure all interested parties can participate. Federal agencies have incorporated over 23,000 sections of the Code of Federal Regulations by reference to these standards. Standards development organizations rely on copyright protection to fund their operations and continue creating and updating standards. Congress intends to balance the goals of furthering standards creation and ensuring public access to standards incorporated by reference into law or regulation. Many standards development organizations currently provide free online access to their standards without significantly disrupting their revenue model.

What does WORKS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO LAW. of Pro Codes Act do?

This section amends Chapter 1 of title 17, United States Code, by adding a new section on works incorporated by reference into law. It defines key terms such as 'incorporated by reference', 'standard', and 'standards development organization'. A standard incorporated by reference retains copyright protection if made publicly accessible online at no monetary cost. The standards development organization must make the standard publicly accessible online within a reasonable period after notice of incorporation.

What does STUDY OF STANDARDS COST TO GOVERNMENTS. of Pro Codes Act do?

This section directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the financial impact of accessing standards incorporated by reference into law on Federal, State, and local governments. The study will analyze total government expenditures for accessing these standards and assess any financial burdens imposed, particularly on smaller municipalities. The study will also evaluate the cost-effectiveness of current methods for acquiring standards and examine impacts on public services due to these costs. The Comptroller General must submit a report to Congress within two years of the Act's enactment, including the study's findings and recommendations to mitigate adverse financial impacts.

Back to bills

Pro Codes Act

Last updated: 6/13/2025 · Introduced: 6/13/2025

Author: Darrell Issa (R-CA)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill requires standards development organizations to make their standards publicly accessible online at no monetary cost if they are incorporated by reference into law, while retaining copyright protection.
A study will be conducted by the Comptroller General of the United States to analyze the financial impact of accessing standards incorporated by reference into law on federal, state, and local governments.
The bill aims to balance the goals of furthering standards creation and ensuring public access to standards incorporated by reference into law or regulation, by allowing standards development organizations to maintain their revenue model while providing free online access to their standards.

119th Congressin committeeS. 4145(In Committee)Official page

Verified Votes

No verified votes yet.

Community Votes

No community votes yet. Be the first!

Voting as guest · Sign in for verified votes

Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 3 more.

5 sections

Click "Show details" to explore individual sections. Use the community vote above or visit All Sections to vote per section.

Read official text

Want the full experience?

Create a free account to cast verified votes on each section, get a personalized summary, and track your voting history.

Create Free Account