Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has signed two new restrictions on cryptocurrency mines into law. These restrictions aim to address concerns raised about a law passed last year regarding cryptocurrency mines, which are data centers that require significant amounts of computing power and electricity. Local officials and residents living near these operations complained that the previous law hindered their ability to address noise and community impact issues.
The new laws now require cryptocurrency mine facilities to implement noise-reduction techniques and obtain a permit from the state to operate. They also eliminate certain restrictions from the 2023 law that limited local governments’ ability to regulate the sound levels generated by these facilities.
The sponsors of the measures have described these new laws as temporary solutions until Arkansas lawmakers reconvene for their regular session next year to consider more comprehensive changes. Additionally, the legislation prohibits businesses and individuals from certain countries, including China, from owning cryptocurrency mining operations in the state.
The majority-Republican House overwhelmingly approved these Senate-backed measures before finalizing the state’s $6.3 billion budget for the upcoming year.