Yesterday evening, the Kentucky Senate unanimously met a bill aimed at protecting Bitcoin's self-reliance and digital asset mining industry. The decisive 37-0 votes, the law, title Acts related to blockchain digital assets (HB 701), moves to the governor's desk for final approval.
The bill, sponsored by representatives Adam Bowling and TJ Roberts, confirms individuals' rights to independent digital assets through self-hosted wallets. Additionally, local zoning laws prevent discrimination against digital asset mining businesses, allowing Bitcoin miners to operate freely within the state.
The bill outlines several important provisions, including:
- Bitcoin Independence Protection: Individuals have the legal right to use and store digital assets.
- Prohibition of discriminatory zoning laws: Local governments cannot impose zoning changes that unfairly target digital asset mining businesses.
- Remittance license exemption: Home Bitcoin Miners and Digital Asset Mining Business are exempt from Kentucky's remittance requirements.
- Clarification of the Securities Act: Digital asset mining and staking as a service is not explicitly classified as securities under Kentucky law.
After passing through Kentucky 91-0 Voting on February 28, 2025, the bill moved quickly through the Senate. The March 13 poll had full bipartisan support. The 37 senators voted in favor, opposed to zero, and one would not vote.
The law is currently awaiting the signing of the governor, which officially provides for Bitcoin's self-reliance protection and digital asset mining rights in Kentucky law. If signed, Kentucky will become one of the more Bitcoin-friendly states in the country, setting precedents that other states should follow.
