A bill aimed at protecting the rights of local crypto miners in the U.S. state of Montana successfully passed the third reading in the state House of Representatives, and will then need to be signed by the governor to become law.
On April 12, Bill 178, which prohibits local authorities from obstructing crypto mining operations, passed its third reading in a vote of 64 to 35. The bill passed the Senate vote in February this year. It will now be presented to Governor Greg Gianforte.
The bill seeks to establish “digital asset mining rights” while prohibiting any discriminatory electricity bills charged to crypto miners. Additionally, it seeks to protect “at-home” mining operations and remove the power of local governments to use zoning laws to impede crypto mining operations.
The bill also prohibits any additional taxes on the use of cryptocurrencies as a means of payment and classifies cryptocurrencies, including stablecoins, as well as “digital assets” including NFTs, as “personal property.”