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119-s-4145119th CongressWALLET

Pro Codes Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

Introduced

Summary

Public access to standards incorporated by reference is the bill's focus. The bill would keep copyright for those standards unless the standards development organization makes all incorporated portions freely available online in an accessible, searchable format within a reasonable period after notice of incorporation.

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  • Standards development organizations would retain copyright unless they provide free, publicly accessible online copies of all incorporated portions in a format with a searchable table of contents and index. Online access must meet Section 508 accessibility rules and may not require payment, and any user accounts or terms cannot collect personally identifiable information without the user’s affirmative and express consent.
  • People and organizations that rely on laws would get free, searchable, accessible online access to standards when those standards are incorporated into Federal, State, local, or municipal law. This helps users find the exact text that law refers to.
  • The bill would add a new Section 123 to Title 17 to define key terms, set the public-access obligations, and place the burden of proof on anyone alleging a standards development organization failed to comply.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Free online access to legal standards

If enacted, copyrighted standards that laws or rules cite would keep copyright only if the standards group posts the exact parts online for free. The online posting would need a searchable table of contents or index and must meet Section 508 accessibility rules. Sites could ask you to create an account or accept terms if there is no fee and your personal data is not used without your clear consent. If someone says a standards group failed to comply, that person would have to prove it in any proceeding.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]

DE • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 3/19/2026

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 3/19/2026

  • Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 3/19/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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