What does Preamble of Pro Codes Act do?

This bill aims to amend title 17 of the United States Code The amendment focuses on works incorporated by reference into law The bill includes requirements for such works

What does SHORT TITLE. of Pro Codes Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Protecting and Enhancing Public Access to Codes Act of 2025.

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, the federal government, and state and local governments, often incorporated by reference into laws and regulations. The standards development process requires openness, balance, consensus, and due process to ensure broad participation. Standards development organizations fund their operations through the sale and licensing of standards. Federal agencies have incorporated over 23,000 sections of the Code of Federal Regulations by reference to these standards. State and local governments also rely on these standards to protect public health and safety. Copyright protection is crucial for standards development organizations to generate revenue and maintain the standards creation process. Congress intends to balance the creation of standards with ensuring public access to those incorporated by reference into law or regulation. Many standards development organizations currently provide free online access to their standards without significantly disrupting their revenue models.

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

This section amends Chapter 1 of Title 17 of the United States Code by adding Section 123, concerning works incorporated by reference into law. It defines key terms including 'Circular A-119,' 'incorporated by reference,' 'standard,' 'standards development organization,' and 'publicly accessible online.' A 'standard' is defined as either a technical standard or a voluntary consensus standard. A 'standards development organization' is defined as a copyright holder that develops voluntary consensus standards using specific procedures. Material is considered 'publicly accessible online' if it's displayed on a public website conforming to accessibility requirements, even if account creation is required without monetary cost or data collection. Standards protected by copyright retain that protection even when incorporated by reference, provided the standards development organization makes them publicly accessible online at no monetary cost.

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Pro Codes Act

Last updated: 6/23/2025 · Introduced: 6/23/2025

Author: Darrell Issa (R-CA)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill amends title 17 of the United States Code to address works incorporated by reference into law, focusing on requirements for such works.
Standards development organizations are allowed to retain copyright protection for their standards when incorporated by reference, as long as they make the standards publicly accessible online at no cost.
Federal agencies have incorporated over 23,000 sections of the Code of Federal Regulations by reference to standards from private standards development organizations, which will be affected by the new requirements for public access.

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

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 2 more.

4 sections

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