Pro Codes Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced
Summary
Requires that standards incorporated by reference into U.S. law be posted online for free and be easy to find and navigate. The bill would set a clear statutory framework tying copyright protection for private standards to public online access and navigability.
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- Standards development organizations would have to post every portion of any standard that a federal rule references online at no charge in a searchable, navigable format within a reasonable time after notice of incorporation. Retaining copyright depends on meeting those access rules and a challenger must prove the organization failed to comply.
- Federal agencies would use a new statutory definition of “incorporated by reference” and related terms drawn from Circular A-119, and the bill adds a new Section 123 to Title 17 to formalize the process and definitions.
- The public, businesses, and courts would gain free, searchable access to private technical and voluntary consensus standards used in law, which the bill says supports timely updates and protects public health, safety, and innovation.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Free online access to incorporated standards
If enacted, this bill would require standards that are written into U.S. law to be posted free online. Standards development organizations would need to make the full text freely available on a public website. The site would have to meet Section 508 accessibility rules and include a searchable table of contents or an index. Users could be asked to create a free account, but personal data could not be used without the user's clear, affirmative consent. If someone claims a standards group failed to follow the rule, that claimant would bear the burden of proof. Copyright would be preserved for standards so long as the group meets these online-access rules. The requirement would take effect on enactment.
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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