Pro Codes Act

S.835, the Pro Codes Act, requires standards development organizations to make technical and safety standards publicly accessible online at no cost within a reasonable time after those standards are incorporated by reference into federal, state, or local government regulations. This applies to standards referenced in laws or regulations (like building codes or safety guidelines) but not directly copied into them. The bill balances the need for standards organizations to fund their work through copyright revenue with the public’s right to access these referenced standards, ensuring free online access without requiring payment or account creation. It specifically targets government agencies that use such standards and the organizations that develop them, without altering how standards are created or adopted.