It appears that Montana is on track to pass a new law that safeguards block reward miners. The bill, known as SB 178, has already passed both the Senate and the House and is currently awaiting the governor’s approval.
Last week, the House of Representatives passed a bill named “Right to Mine” with a vote of 64-35, while the Senate had already approved it in February.
Montana residents are now entitled to mine digital assets without any interference from the government, thanks to SB 178 sponsored by Republican state Senator Daniel Zolnikov. This protection applies to both home and industrial miners and ensures their right to mine without any hindrance.
The proposed legislation offers additional safeguards to miners by preventing power providers from charging them with “discriminatory rates.” In the mining industry, access to power and pricing are highly debated topics, especially in countries such as Iran where the government restricts the power supply to miners based on electricity demand.
In the United States, the availability and cost of electricity vary from state to state. For instance, in Texas, the grid operator, ERCOT, has the authority to instruct miners to halt their operations during periods of high demand. ERCOT compensates these miners for their compliance, but this program has faced significant criticism from state lawmakers.
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has issued a ban prohibiting miners from utilizing carbon-based fuel to run their operations. However, Montana lawmakers are striving to put an end to this kind of discrimination within their state. According to the proposed legislation, miners should receive the same treatment as other data centers.
It is uncertain whether Montana Governor Greg Gianforte will approve the bill or not, given that a similar bill was vetoed by Arkansas Governor Katie Hobbs just last week. However, it is suggested that the governor’s political affiliation may influence his decision, as both the bill’s sponsor and Governor Gianforte belong to the Republican party – a different scenario from that in Arkansas.
Zolnikov has expressed his optimism that the bill will receive the governor’s signature and become a law, with all necessary information taken into account.
“Bitcoin miners have been facing discrimination at the local level both in Montana and in other states like North Carolina. With this legislation set to become law, Montana can guarantee miners can do business in the state and create many of the rural jobs and opportunities that we need,” he told one outlet.
