Crypto mining bills advance through Arkansas legislature, awaiting governor’s signature to become law

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Two bills aimed at regulating cryptocurrency mining have advanced to the final step before becoming law in Arkansas.

SB78 and SB79 both address consequences that came as a result of a state law (Act 851) that passed last year and provided some additional protections for sites in Arkansas.

Arkansas cryptocurrency mining law to face possible changes in 2025 regarding foreign ownership

The first bill passed Wednesday by House members addresses the noise and water complaints, requiring mine owners to install more soundproofing measures and regulating the use of water needed for servers. The second ensures the sites stay a certain distance away from nearby structures. It also prevents any ownership by certain foreign entities.

Two of the men behind these bills, one living near a site and the other serving as mayor in a city neighboring a town with a site, told KARK 4 News they’re pleased with Wednesday’s outcome.

“The water, they use a lot of it to keep the fans cool, thank goodness we have a supply in that area and can support that, but it takes away from the consumer,” Wooster Mayor Terry Robinson said

Wooster provides the water to a neighboring town that has a site.

Community members in DeWitt gather to stop cryptocurrency mining site from going in

Jerry Lee Bogard has property in Arkansas County near a site and has spent the last few weeks at the capitol working with state lawmakers to find solutions for the new problems created under state law. He and a lobbyist working on behalf of those impacted by the sites told KARK 4 News they are very pleased with the outcome of Wednesday’s House session.

“It is going to give the citizens of Arkansas what we didn’t have under (Act) 851, which was protection against… it was referred to in the legislature as ‘bad actors’ that moved in here,” Bogard said.

Bogard added that this is “only the beginning” of the work he and others will be doing to address crypto sites in Arkansas, but it is a good start.

Arkansas cryptocurrency mining law to face possible changes in 2025 regarding foreign ownership

Both bills will now go to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders for her signature before becoming law.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.