Congressman Darrell Issa and Congresswoman Deborah Ross have introduced H.R. 4072, known as the Protecting and Enhancing Public Access to Codes Act (Pro Codes Act). The legislation aims to safeguard public access to federal rules and regulations.
“Standards in federal rules and regulations matter to us all, and never more so than when they are at a point of either streamlining public access or blocking it from the people’s reach,” stated Rep. Issa. He emphasized that the Pro Codes Act is designed to ensure transparency and accessibility of standards.
The bill addresses the incorporation of codes into legal standards by courts, ensuring that copyright does not impede public access. It allows for free access while permitting developers to sell materials in certain formats.
Rep. Ross expressed her support, saying, “I believe that codes that have been incorporated into law should always be available to the public at no cost.” She highlighted the balance between public access and protecting incentives for code development.
The bill has garnered support from various stakeholders. Dennis Knight, President of ASHRAE, remarked on its importance for protecting intellectual property while benefiting the public. Jim Pauley of the National Fire Protection Association praised its role in fostering economic growth through safety standards.
Spencer Pederson from NEMA acknowledged the bill’s potential to preserve partnerships between governments and private entities for developing codes without taxpayer expense. John Belcik of the International Code Council lauded the act’s advancement as crucial for maintaining a transparent system.
The full text of HR 4072 is available for review.
