The bill aims to ban new cryptocurrency mining within 30 miles of a military facility

Sen. Ricky Hill, R-Cabot, called cryptocurrency mining a “matter of national security” and introduced a bill to prevent companies from mining digital assets within a 30-mile radius of a military installation.

Hill said the bill, which he introduced late Tuesday, is a proactive step against cryptocurrency mining operations that could pose a security threat to military installations across the state as the Legislature has sought to regulate cryptocurrency mines more strictly over the past year.

Under Senate Bill 60, a 30-mile radius where cryptocurrency mining would be banned would include all bases, hospitals, training sites or housing operated by any branch of the US military including the National Guard. The bill will not apply to cryptocurrency mines already operating before December 31, 2024, unless there is a change in ownership.