John... I have often had the same questions concerning the "legality" of laws not being in the public domain.
How is it that NFPA can boast that the NEC has been adopted in all 50 states (although not the same edition)... and then the only way to get a copy is to pay for the book?
You would think that once a state has adopted a particular version of the NEC (as an example) then the document would then have to be available free of charge. Now granted most public libraries have access to these documents, but, not all. If someone lives 100 miles from the nearest public library, does that mean if they are unwilling to travel then then are just SOL? Shouldn't all codes that are incorporated by reference be readily accessible to the regulated community?
For example in the Ohio Fire Code, there are a whole host of consensus standards (NFPA, ANSI, ASTM. ASME, etc.) that have been incorporated by reference in the Ohio Administrative Code. You would think there would be a reasonble way to review all of those standards.
Ohio Administrative Code 1301:7-7-44 Referenced standards.
This rule lists the standards that are referenced in various sections of the ohio fire code. The standards listed herein shall be considered part of the requirements of the ohio fire code to the prescribed extent of each such reference.
I'm just on a rant.