Technology

died · Arkansas · House Apr 29, 2026

HR 1011: TO AUTHORIZE THE INTRODUCTION OF A NONAPPROPRIATION BILL TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS DATA CENTERS ACT OF 2023 AND TO AMEND THE UNIFORM MONEY SERVICES ACT.

This bill authorizes the introduction of legislation to change how Arkansas regulates digital asset mining. It removes the current exemption that allows individuals and businesses mining cryptocurrency at home to operate without a money transmitter license. Under the proposed changes, anyone engaged in home or commercial digital asset mining would be required to obtain a license by September 1, 2026. The bill is currently a procedural resolution that died in committee and does not become law.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts digital asset mining by requiring licenses, limiting individual and business access to technology.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

Track

died · Arkansas · House Apr 29, 2026

HR 1012: TO AUTHORIZE THE INTRODUCTION OF A NONAPPROPRIATION BILL TO REGULATE THE IMPACT ON WATER USAGE AND THE ELECTRICAL GRID BY BLOCKCHAIN NETWORKS AND DIGITAL ASSET MINING.

This bill authorizes the introduction of legislation to regulate how blockchain networks and digital asset mining operations affect water supplies and the electrical grid in Arkansas. It would require the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to monitor water usage by these industries and allow them to shut down operations that excessively deplete critical groundwater. Additionally, it would task the Arkansas Public Service Commission with monitoring the impact on the electric grid and permitting utilities to cut power to mining sites that threaten grid reliability. The proposed rules implementing these measures must be finalized and filed with the Secretary of State by January 1, 2027.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill imposes regulatory restrictions on digital asset mining and blockchain networks, limiting their operations based on water and grid impact.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates monitoring of water usage and grid impact, allowing shutdowns of operations that deplete critical groundwater, directly protecting natural resources.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts blockchain and digital asset mining operations by imposing water and grid usage regulations, limiting their expansion.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Utility Regulation Emerging Technology

Track

died · Arkansas · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SR 9: TO AUTHORIZE THE INTRODUCTION OF A NONAPPROPRIATION BILL TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF A COMPUTER MANUFACTURED BY A COVERED FOREIGN ENTITY IN DIGITAL ASSET MINING AND PROHIBIT THE USE OF CERTAIN SOFTWARE IN DIGITAL ASSET MINING.

This bill would have prohibited digital asset miners in Arkansas from using computers manufactured or assembled by specific foreign entities or software developed by them. The legislation defined "covered foreign entities" as those linked to China or Russia, including companies on U.S. government watchlists or subsidiaries of such groups. Violations were set to be treated as a misdemeanor for a first offense and a felony for subsequent ones. The bill ultimately failed to pass when it was not adopted during the Senate's final reading in April 2026.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts technology use by banning computers and software from specific foreign entities in digital asset mining.90% confidence

Track

died · Arkansas · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SR 8: TO AUTHORIZE THE INTRODUCTION OF A NONAPPROPRIATION BILL TO REQUIRE A DIGITAL ASSET MINING BUSINESS TO PAY A FEE FOR EXTRAORDINARY ELECTRICAL ENERGY USAGE AND TO IMPLEMENT OVERSIGHT PROCEDURES.

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.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill imposes fees on digital asset mining, increasing operational costs and potentially restricting energy-intensive activities.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill imposes heavy fees and oversight on digital asset mining, restricting industry growth and limiting technology adoption.85% confidence

Track

died · Arkansas · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SR 12: TO AUTHORIZE THE INTRODUCTION OF A NONAPPROPRIATION BILL TO REGULATE THE IMPACT ON WATER USAGE AND THE ELECTRICAL GRID BY BLOCKCHAIN NETWORKS AND DIGITAL ASSET MINING.

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.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill restricts digital asset mining by allowing regulators to shut down facilities, limiting energy production and grid usage.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates monitoring of water usage and allows shutting down facilities that excessively consume groundwater, directly protecting natural resources.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts blockchain and digital asset mining by imposing water usage limits and allowing grid shutdowns, limiting the growth of these technologies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Utility Regulation Emerging Technology

Track

died · Arkansas · House Apr 29, 2026

HR 1009: TO AUTHORIZE THE INTRODUCTION OF A NONAPPROPRIATION BILL TO REQUIRE A DIGITAL ASSET MINING BUSINESS TO PAY A FEE FOR EXTRAORDINARY ELECTRICAL ENERGY USAGE AND TO IMPLEMENT OVERSIGHT PROCEDURES.

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.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill imposes fees and oversight on digital asset mining, restricting energy usage and increasing costs for this sector.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill imposes fees and oversight on digital asset mining, restricting business operations and limiting technology sector growth.85% confidence

Track

died · Arkansas · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SR 10: TO AUTHORIZE THE INTRODUCTION OF A NONAPPROPRIATION BILL TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS DATA CENTERS ACT OF 2023 AND TO AMEND THE UNIFORM MONEY SERVICES ACT.

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.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts digital asset mining by requiring money transmitter licensure, limiting home-based operations.85% confidence

Track