Zoe Lofgren: “Here is what they say: ``You didn't learn about incorporation by reference from Schoolhouse Rock, but it is one of the…”

“Here is what they say: ``You didn't learn about incorporation by reference from Schoolhouse Rock, but it is one of the key ways policymakers create law. A huge portion of the regulations we all live by, such as fire safety codes, or the National Electric Code, are initially written by industry experts, government officials, and other volunteers under the auspices of standards development organizations, SDOs. Federal, State, or municipal policymakers then review the codes and decide whether the standard is a good broad rule. If so, it is adopted into law `by reference.' In other words, the regulation cites the code by name but doesn't copy and paste the entire thing into law (useful when the code is long and detailed). For example, if a regulation requires compliance with the National Fire Safety Code, it might simply refer to specific provisions or the code as a whole, rather than copying it directly, but that doesn't make compliance any less mandatory. ``When a pipeline bursts, journalists might want to investigate whether the pipeline complied with Federal regulations, or compare Federal, State, and local rules. When a toy is recalled, parents want to know whether its maker followed child safety rules. When a fire breaks out, homeowners and communities want to know whether the building complied with fire safety regulations.…”