A new bill aimed at regulating Bitcoin mining in Arkansas has been approved by both the House of Representatives and Senate and is now awaiting Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ signature. The Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023 seeks to establish guidelines for Bitcoin miners and protect them from discriminatory regulations and taxes, guaranteeing that firms have the same rights as data centers.

While the bill mandates that crypto miners must pay applicable taxes and government fees using acceptable forms of currency and must operate in a way that does not strain the public electricity grid, it also specifies that the Arkansas government cannot impose unique requirements that are different from those imposed on data centers.

In contrast, Texas legislators are seeking to remove incentives for Bitcoin miners through Bill 1751. Last week, the bill was unanimously approved in a state Senate committee vote; however, lobbying groups opposing the legislation still hope it doesn’t become a law.