Montana Passes Bill to Protect Crypto Mining Rights
• Montana’s state senate passed a bill on Feb. 23 in order to protect the right to engage in cryptocurrency mining.
• The bill seeks to prevent the government from imposing higher electricity rates and additional taxes on cryptocurrencies, as well as allowing mining firms to operate in industrial zones and individual miners in residential areas (with exception for noise complaints).
• The bill was backed by Dennis Porter, CEO and co-founder of the Satoshi Action Fund, and must pass in the house before it is signed into law.
Montana Passes „Right To Mine“ Crypto Bill
Montana’s state senate passed a bill on Feb. 23 aimed at protecting individuals‘ and businesses‘ right to engage in cryptocurrency mining. The bill seeks to prevent the government from imposing higher electricity rates or additional taxes on cryptocurrencies, as well as providing legal protection for crypto miners who wish to operate within residential areas (with an exception for noise complaints).
Legislative Support
The pro-crypto bill was backed by Dennis Porter, CEO and co-founder of the Satoshi Action Fund. Porter wrote today that the bill must now pass through the House before it can be signed into law.
Missoula County Law
The proposed legislation may counteract an earlier Missoula County law that has introduced new environmental zoning regulations which directly affect mining operations within its jurisdiction.
States Restricting & Liberalizing Crypto Mining Laws
Other states have also attempted to restrict or liberalize crypto mining laws over recent years; In mid-2022, New York passed a bill restricting crypto mining while Mississippi recently passed a law preventing discriminatory mining laws earlier this year.
Popularity Among Industrial Miners
Montana appears increasingly popular among industrial miners with firms such as Madison River Equity, Marathon Digital, Atlas Power, Bitzero, Project Spokane having operated or attempted operations there at some point over recent years.