'Right To Mine' Cryptocurrency Bill Nears Passage In Montana‍

In order to become a law, the bill must pass muster in the state House before it can be signed into law by the governor and will enshrine the rights of crypto miners.

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As a result of passing the Montana Senate, a cryptocurrency mining rights bill containing laws prohibiting the discrimination of crypto miners has taken a big step toward becoming a reality.

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In addition to enshrining a right to mine digital assets, the proposed laws would also prohibit “discriminatory” electricity rates from being charged to crypto miners, protect mining done at home, and give local governments the power to use zoning laws to prevent crypto mining operations from taking place.

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The measure also prohibits additional taxes on the use of crypto as a method of payment, as well as considering “digital assets,” including cryptocurrencies and nonfungible tokens, as “personal property”, along with other financial products such as stocks and bonds.

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In the state Senate, the bill was passed on Feb. 23 by a vote of 37 in favor and 13 against, and will be sent to the House for final approval. Assuming the bill passes in both of these places, the final step will be for it to be signed into law by Governor Greg Gianforte, who could also choose to veto the bill if it passes there too.

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The advocacy group's CEO, Dennis Porter, told Trade Algo in a January interview that Montana officials have used zoning laws to push miners out and considered raising electricity rates.

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Missoula County, Montana, passed rules in April 2019 requiring miners to operate only in areas that are classified as light or heavy industrial districts and that they use only renewable energy when operating in such districts. In the event the law is passed, the county's zoning ordinance would be overturned.

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A similar bill has already passed the Mississippi state Senate and is currently working its way through the Mississippi House of Representatives in an effort to protect crypto miners from discrimination.

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During the same period, Missouri's Digital Asset Mining Protection Act, which aims to protect the rights of crypto miners, was introduced to the state legislature in mid-January.

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