The bill, which aims to protect the rights of cryptocurrency miners in the U.S. state of Montana, has successfully passed its third reading in the state’s House of Representatives. Now, the only thing that needs to become law is the governor's signature.
Bill 178, which prohibits local authorities from obstructing crypto mining operations, was passed by a vote of 64 to 35 during the third reading on April 12. The legislation passed the Senate for a vote in February. It will now be on the desk of Governor Greg Gianforte. While Gianforte has the power to veto the bill, he is unlikely to do so because he is a fellow Republican with the bill's sponsor, state Sen. Daniel Zolnikov.
The legislation seeks to establish "digital asset mining rights" and prohibits any discriminatory electricity charges to cryptocurrency miners. Additionally, it seeks to protect mining operations conducted “in-country” and remove the power of local governments to use zoning laws to block cryptocurrency mining. The bill also prohibits any additional taxes on the use of cryptocurrencies as a means of payment. It classifies “digital assets,” including cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and non-fungible tokens, as “personal property.”
Compared with the original draft, the revised draft bill has one major change, the third section is significantly shortened. The third part of the old edition took up almost three full pages and included several non-mining related articles. The third section now outlines three specific areas in which the powers of local authorities can be limited, including limiting the different requirements placed on mining centers and data centres. In addition, the authorities are unable to prevent cryptocurrency mining in industrial areas and private homes. A bill protecting cryptocurrency miners from discriminatory regulations and taxes passed the Arkansas House of Representatives and Senate in early April and is now awaiting a decision from the governor.
