A proposed bill in New Hampshire aimed at easing regulations on cryptocurrency mining was split on Thursday after public feedback surged since its last debate. The Senate Commerce Committee voted 4-2 to send the measure to a further review, as first reported by the New Hampshire Bulletin.
The House Bill 639 would prevent municipalities from imposing restrictions on crypto mining practices like electricity usage or noise levels and prohibit local authorities from implementing taxes unique to digital assets. The bill also affirms the right of individuals and businesses to mine cryptocurrencies, and calls for creating a dedicated blockchain docket within the state’s superior court where crypto-related disputes could be handled by a governor-appointed judge.
Following its initial vote in May, senators returned the bill for further refinement before seeking broader support. Senator Tara Reardon of Concord stated that the proposal had garnered the most emails she’d ever received from a single bill.
The bill’s sponsor, Republican Representative Keith Ammon, plans to introduce it before the full Senate in 2026. **
This development comes as crypto mining continues to be explored within the US. While criticized for its energy consumption and environmental impact, the industry has witnessed significant advancements from earlier years. A recent report published by the MiCA Crypto Alliance and data firm Nodiens reveals a notable shift in Bitcoin mining practices, with coal’s share decreasing from 63% in 2011 to 20% in 2024, while renewable energy usage has increased steadily by an average of 5.8% annually over the same period.
However, some US states are still exploring ways to mitigate the environmental impact through taxes. New York Senator Liz Krueger recently introduced a bill imposing a tiered excise tax on energy consumption associated with crypto mining operations. The measure exempts miners utilizing up to 2.25 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually while imposing a tax of 2 cents per kWh for those using between 2.26 and 5 million kWh.