This bill adds limits to the regulatory powers of political subdivisions over digital asset mining businesses. It permits digital asset mining businesses to operate in any area zoned for industrial use. It also states that individuals or entities engaged in digital asset mining shall not be considered money transmitters. The bill prohibits political subdivisions from limiting the sound decibels generated from home digital asset mining, imposing additional requirements on digital asset mining businesses that are not required for data centers, rezoning areas to discriminate against digital asset mining businesses, limiting the ability of digital asset mining businesses to appeal zoning changes, or establishing discriminatory rate schedules for digital asset mining. The bill takes effect 60 days after its passage.
The fiscal impact of this bill on political subdivisions is indeterminable. The New Hampshire Municipal Association states that it is not possible to estimate the cost of the legislation on municipal expenditures. While some additional tax revenue may be generated from digital asset mining operations, factors such as noise pollution and potential property value decreases could offset or exceed the additional revenue. Additionally, municipally-owned generators may face increased electric demand from digital asset mining operations, potentially leading to higher prices for electric ratepayers.