Arkansas passes right-to-mine bill Arkansas passes right-to-mine bill
The U.S. state is at least the third to advance crypto mining protections.
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Updated: Apr. 7, 2023 at 10:12 pm UTC
Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.
The U.S. state of Arkansas has passed a bill that aims to protect the local right to mine cryptocurrency, as seen in state legislature records.
Those records indicate that the bill was passed by the House and Senate on April 6. It was enrolled and sent to the Governor’s office, where it requires approval, on April 7.
The bill, titled The Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023, aims to prevent local governments from imposing certain restrictions on crypto mining activities.
The law says that local governments should not create laws that apply specifically to crypto mining operations, such as targeted anti-noise laws, zoning laws, and business laws. The law also says that mining firms can appeal zoning changes.
Furthermore, the bill says that Arkansas’ public utility provider should not impose “unreasonably discriminatory rates” on crypto mining customers.
Two other U.S. states — Missouri and Montana — have passed similar mining protection bills. Other jurisdictions, often below the state level, have imposed restrictions on mining.
Author 
Mike Dalton
Before transitioning to crypto writing in 2018, Mike studied library and information sciences. Currently, he resides on Canada's West Coast.
