Legislation in the state would give protections to those who mine and trade cryptocurrency
Nebraska State Senator Eliot Bostar introduced a bill in the legislature on January 5 to establish basic crypto benchmarks in the state. Bill 911 seeks to adopt the Blockchain Basics Act, which aims to specify regulations promoting safe and legal cryptocurrency mining, holding and trading for Nebraska residents.
The Blockchain Basics Act would permit individuals to host blockchain nodes and perform crypto mining operations in residential properties without being required to hold a license. All operators would be required to comply with local noise ordinances. However, crypto businesses must operate only from designated industrial zones.
The proposal also restricts political subdivisions from going beyond current sound pollution limitations, setting new requirements that don’t apply to data centers, or making zoning changes. The Blockchain Basics Act will also not view staking services as security in the state.
Additionally, the bill will protect investors’ self-custody rights and offer protection against the obstacle of Nebraska crypto taxes. Along with Bostar’s actions to designate a level crypto playing field, California State Senator Steve Padilla introduced two bills to develop a “safe and ethical framework” for Nebraska’s artificial intelligence (AI) providers on January 4.
If passed, Senate Bill 892 would mandate California’s Department of Technology to develop privacy, safety, and nondiscrimination for AI services in Nebraska. At the same time, Senate Bill 893 would require the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, the Department of Technology, and the Government Operations Agency to develop an AI research center within the state.
Padilla says the proposed law would help deter a monopoly among companies controlling AI’s future. “This is a public good that must benefit all in our society,” he stated, “and we must make public investments to prevent a few billionaires controlling our future.”
