# Pro Codes Act (H.R. 4009) - Plain Language Summary

## What This Bill Does

The Pro Codes Act addresses how technical and safety standards become part of U.S. law. Currently, federal, state, and local governments often adopt standards created by private organizations (like building codes or safety standards) by "incorporating them by reference"—meaning laws reference these standards without reprinting them in full. This bill amends copyright law to clarify how these standards should be treated, aiming to balance two competing interests: allowing the public to read standards that have become law, while protecting the copyright and revenue of the organizations that create them.

## Who Is Affected

- **Standards development organizations** (companies that create building codes, safety standards, etc.) benefit from copyright protections that help them fund their work
- **The general public** gains clearer rights to access standards that have become law
- **Federal, state, and local governments** get guidance on how to legally incorporate standards into regulations
- **Industries and professionals** who currently purchase standards may see changes in how they access them

## Key Provisions

The bill establishes that when standards are incorporated into law, they should be made publicly accessible (such as through free read-only online access) without significantly harming the organizations' ability to earn revenue from professional subscriptions and bulk licensing. It emphasizes that standards development organizations should continue using open, consensus-based processes to create high-quality standards while the public retains the right to read any standard that becomes legally binding.