Senate Bill 47, now enacted as Act 21, provides funding for the Arkansas State University System Technology Center (SAU-Tech) for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The legislation establishes specific maximum salary rates and employee counts for various administrative, technical, and operational positions within the organization. By setting these limits, the bill determines the total budget allocation for regular salaries and operating expenses during the specified fiscal period.
This bill, which did not advance beyond committee, would update Arkansas laws to regulate digital asset mining businesses and clarify the authority of local governments. It requires mining operations to comply with existing state and local rules, pay all applicable taxes, and use specific noise-reduction techniques like liquid cooling or fully enclosed equipment. The legislation also prohibits local governments from banning home mining, requiring permits for it, or imposing stricter noise limits on mining than on other data centers.
This Senate Resolution authorizes a new bill that would require digital asset mining businesses in Arkansas to pay fees to the Department of Energy and Environment for high levels of electricity consumption. The proposed law establishes a tiered fee structure based on monthly energy usage, ranging from $25,000 for moderate consumption to $100,000 for the highest usage levels. It also mandates that these businesses submit usage estimates and documentation to the state and outlines how the collected funds would be distributed to various agencies for oversight and operational expenses. Although the resolution was introduced to enable this legislation, the associated bill ultimately failed to pass during the 2026 session.
This bill authorizes the creation of a new law to regulate how blockchain networks and digital asset mining operations affect Arkansas's water supplies and electric grid. It would require the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to monitor water usage and allow the commission to shut down facilities that excessively consume groundwater. Additionally, it would task the Arkansas Public Service Commission with monitoring the impact on the electric grid and permitting utilities to halt service to mining operations that threaten grid reliability. The bill also mandates that the relevant agencies create specific rules to enforce these monitoring and enforcement powers by January 1, 2027.
Senate Bill 58, now Act 138, provides funding for the Arkansas Department of Education's Division of Higher Education for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The bill authorizes specific job positions and sets salary limits for staff within the division, including roles for program management, grants administration, and IT support. Additionally, it allocates money to support various student financial aid programs, such as the Arkansas Future Grants and the Arkansas Heroes Scholarship. The legislation also includes operating expenses for the State Board of Private Career Education to cover its administrative costs.
This bill reappropriates previously allocated funds for the Arkansas Department of Education's Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, ensuring money remains available for specific projects starting July 1, 2026. The legislation directs up to $564,871 toward computer science initiatives and up to $5,000,000 for the maintenance, renovation, and repairs of four state-owned buildings located in the Capitol Complex. It includes standard financial controls to ensure contracts do not exceed available funds and that these specific monies are not mixed with general operating budgets. By designating an emergency clause, the bill allows these funds to take effect immediately on July 1, 2026, regardless of any delays in the legislative session.
This House Resolution in Arkansas authorizes the introduction of a bill that would require digital asset mining businesses to pay fees to the state for using large amounts of electricity. The proposed law establishes a tiered fee structure where businesses pay between $25,000 and $100,000 annually based on how many megawatts of power they consume in a month. It also mandates that these companies submit energy usage estimates before starting operations and face penalties or criminal charges if they knowingly provide false information. Any money collected from these fees would be split among state agencies to fund oversight, monitoring, and operational expenses related to regulating the industry.
This bill was introduced to amend Arkansas laws regarding digital asset mining and money transmission services. It would remove the current exemption that allows individuals and businesses mining digital assets at home to operate without a money transmitter license. Instead, the proposal required these entities to apply for licensure under the Uniform Money Services Act by September 1, 2026. The bill did not pass and died at the end of the legislative session.
