Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 230 (2025GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Teuscher, Jordan D.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/25/2025

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• defines terms;
• prohibits state and local governmental entities from restricting the acceptance or custody of digital assets;
• establishes the right to operate nodes, develop software, transfer digital assets, and participate in staking on blockchain protocols;
• creates exemptions from money transmitter licensing requirements for certain blockchain and digital asset activities;
• restricts the ability of political subdivisions to impose sound limitations or zoning restrictions on digital asset mining businesses in industrial zones; and
• makes technical and conforming changes.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

25
7-28-101
7-28-102
7-28-103
7-28-104
10-9a-541
17-27a-536
0
Blockchain and Digital Innovation Amendments
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Jordan D. Teuscher
Senate Sponsor: Kirk A. Cullimore
Cosponsor:
Ken Ivory
David Shallenberger
Kay J. Christofferson
Trevor Lee
Troy Shelley
Tyler Clancy
Matt MacPherson
Lisa Shepherd
Paul A. Cutler
Verona Mauga
Rex P. Shipp
Jennifer Dailey-Provost
Logan J. Monson
Andrew Stoddard
Doug Fiefia
Jefferson Moss
Jason E. Thompson
Stephanie Gricius
Angela Romero
Raymond P. Ward
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill creates authority for the state treasurer to invest public funds in certain digital 
assets.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
defines terms;
prohibits state and local governmental entities from restricting the acceptance or custody 
of digital assets;
establishes the right to operate nodes, develop software, transfer digital assets, and 
participate in staking on blockchain protocols;
creates exemptions from money transmitter licensing requirements for certain blockchain 
and digital asset activities;
restricts the ability of political subdivisions to impose sound limitations or zoning 
restrictions on digital asset mining businesses in industrial zones; and 
makes technical and conforming changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
7-28-101
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
7-28-102
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
7-28-103
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
7-28-104
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
10-9a-541
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
17-27a-536
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1, Section 
7-28-101
 is enacted to read:
7-28-101
. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1)
"Blockchain protocol" means any executable software deployed to enable the transfer of 
data and electronic records through a distributed network of nodes, including an 
additional standardized set of rules that uses a previously existing blockchain as a base.
(2)
"Digital asset" means:
(a)
virtual currency;
(b)
cryptocurrency;
(c)
natively electronic assets, including:
(i)
stablecoins; and
(ii)
non-fungible tokens; or
(d)
other digital-only assets that confer economic, proprietary, or access rights or powers.
(3)
"Hardware wallet" means a physical device that:
(a)
is not continuously connected to the Internet;
(b)
allows an individual to secure and transfer digital assets; and
(c)
enables the owner of digital assets to retain independent control over the digital 
assets.
Section 2, Section 
7-28-102
 is enacted to read:
7-28-102
. Permitted uses of digital assets.
A state or local governmental entity may not prohibit, restrict, or impair a person's 
ability to:
(1)
accept digital assets as a method of payment for legal goods and services; or
(2)
take custody of digital assets using:
(a)
a self-hosted wallet; or
(b)
a hardware wallet.
Section 3, Section 
7-28-103
 is enacted to read:
7-28-103
. Access to blockchain protocols and transfer of digital assets.
A person may:
(1)
operate a node for the purpose of:
(a)
connecting to a blockchain protocol; and
(b)
participating in the blockchain protocol's operations;
(2)
develop software on a blockchain protocol;
(3)
transfer digital assets to another individual or business utilizing a blockchain protocol; or
(4)
participate in staking on a blockchain protocol.
Section 4, Section 
7-28-104
 is enacted to read:
7-28-104
. Exemption from money transmission license.
The following activities do not require an individual or business to obtain a money 
transmitter license under Title 7, Chapter 25, Money Transmitter Act:
(1)
operating one or more nodes on a blockchain protocol;
(2)
developing software on a blockchain protocol; or
(3)
operating a business or decentralized protocol that:
(a)
effectuates the exchange of one digital asset for another digital asset; and
(b)
does not exchange digital assets for legal tender or bank deposits.
Section 5, Section 
10-9a-541
 is enacted to read:
10-9a-541
. Digital asset mining -- Zoning restrictions.
(1)
As used in this section:
(a)
"Digital asset" means the same as that term is defined in Section 
7-28-101
.
(b)
"Digital asset mining" means using computer hardware and software specifically 
designed or utilized for validating data and securing a blockchain network.
(c)
"Digital asset mining business" means a group of computers working at a single site 
that:
(i)
consumes more than one megawatt of energy on an average annual basis; and
(ii)
operates for the purpose of generating blockchain tokens by securing a 
blockchain network.
(2)
A political subdivision of the state may not enact an ordinance, resolution, or rule that:
(a)
for digital asset mining businesses located in areas zoned for industrial use, imposes 
sound restrictions on digital asset mining businesses that are more stringent than the 
generally applicable limits set for industrial-zoned areas; or
(b)
prevents a digital asset mining business from operating in an area zoned for 
industrial use if the digital asset mining business meets other requirements for 
industrial use.
Section 6, Section 
17-27a-536
 is enacted to read:
17-27a-536
. Digital asset mining -- Zoning restrictions.
(1)
As used in this section:
(a)
"Digital asset" means the same as that term is defined in Section 
7-28-101
.
(b)
"Digital asset mining" means using computer hardware and software specifically 
designed or utilized for validating data and securing a blockchain network.
(c)
"Digital asset mining business" means a group of computers working at a single site 
that:
(i)
consumes more than one megawatt of energy on an average annual basis; and
(ii)
operates for the purpose of generating blockchain tokens by securing a 
blockchain network.
(2)
A political subdivision of the state may not enact an ordinance, resolution, or rule that:
(a)
for digital asset mining businesses located in areas zoned for industrial use, imposes 
sound restrictions on digital asset mining businesses that are more stringent than the 
generally applicable limits set for industrial-zoned areas; or
(b)
prevents a digital asset mining business from operating in an area zoned for 
industrial use if the digital asset mining business meets other requirements for 
industrial use.
Section 7. 
Effective Date.
This bill takes effect on 
May 7, 2025
.
3-14-25 7:46 AM