HB 4511 Michigan House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

State finance: other; limitations on holding a digital asset; prohibit. Creates new act.

HB 4511 prohibits Michigan state and local governments from banning digital asset holdings, requiring permits for them, imposing extra taxes based solely on digital asset use, or restricting blockchain-related activities like node operations, asset transfers, or staking. It also bans state agencies from advocating for U.S. central bank digital currency and shields individuals validating transactions or operating nodes from civil liability. The bill directly affects Michigan residents, businesses, and blockchain service providers using digital assets like cryptocurrency or stablecoins. Key provisions define "digital assets" broadly and require state actions to align with blockchain protocols without unnecessary restrictions.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2025

Committee Review

Dec 2025

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced May 21, 2025 Last action Mar 11, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

House Introduced Bill → Substitute (H-1) · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to explicitly prohibit the state from requiring permits for digital asset holders, with a specific exemption for custodians holding assets on behalf of others. Additionally, the definitions were expanded to clarify what constitutes a 'smart contract' and 'staking,' and the list of prohibited state actions was updated to explicitly ban the prohibition of digital asset transfers and staking participation.

Scope change

The bill's scope was broadened to explicitly include the transfer of digital assets and participation in staking as protected activities that the state cannot prohibit, and it clarified the licensing requirements for digital asset holders.

REQUIREMENT

Added a specific exemption allowing the state to require permits or licenses for digital asset holders only when they are acting as custodians for another person.

Reordered and modified Section 1 to explicitly list the transfer of digital assets and participation in staking as activities the state cannot prohibit.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'smart contract' to clarify it as a self-executing agreement stored on a blockchain.

Added a new definition for 'staking' to define it as locking digital assets in a node to operate a blockchain consensus mechanism.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

substitute (H-1) adopted

lower

Dec 11, 2025

Committee

referred to second reading

lower

Dec 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

reported with recommendation without amendment

lower

Sep 18, 2025

Committee

referred to Committee on Economic Competitiveness

lower

Sep 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

motion to discharge committee approved

lower

May 21, 2025

Committee

referred to Committee on Communications and Technology

lower

May 21, 2025

Introduced

introduced by Representative Rep. Bryan Posthumus

lower

1 primary · 7 co-sponsors