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HB263 • 2025

Generally revise digital asset mining and data center ratemaking laws

Generally revise digital asset mining and data center ratemaking laws

Energy Technology
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Katie Sullivan
Last action
2025-05-20
Official status
(H) Died in Process
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Generally revise digital asset mining and data center ratemaking laws

Generally revise digital asset mining and data center ratemaking laws

What This Bill Does

  • Generally revise digital asset mining and data center ratemaking laws

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

COMMITTEE

Plain English: Amendment - 1st Reading-white - Requested by: Braxton Mitchell - (H) Energy, Technology, and Federal Relations - 2025 69th Legislature 2025 Drafter: Griffin Burns, HB0263.001.002 - 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 263 1 HOUSE BILL NO.

  • Amendment - 1st Reading-white - Requested by: Braxton Mitchell - (H) Energy, Technology, and Federal Relations - 2025 69th Legislature 2025 Drafter: Griffin Burns, HB0263.001.002 - 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 263 1 HOUSE BILL NO.
  • 263 2 INTRODUCED BY K.
  • SULLIVAN 3 4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REQUIRING THE REPORTING OF ELECTRICITY USE FOR 5 CERTAIN ENERGY USERS; ESTABLISHING REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; AMENDING SECTION 69-3- 6 332, MCA; AND PROVIDING A DELAYED EFFECTIVE DATE.” 7 8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: 9 10Section 1.
  • Section 69-3-332, MCA, is amended to read: 11 "69-3-332.
COMMITTEE

Plain English: COMMITTEE 2

  • The official amendment file could not be read automatically during the last sync, so only the official amendment metadata is shown right now.

Bill History

  1. 2025-05-20 HOUSE

    (H) Died in Process

  2. 2025-03-12 HOUSE

    (H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal

  3. 2025-02-03 HOUSE

    (H) Tabled in Committee

  4. 2025-02-03 HOUSE

    (H) Tabled in Committee

  5. 2025-01-23 HOUSE

    (H) Hearing

  6. 2025-01-21 HOUSE

    (H) Referred to Committee

  7. 2025-01-21 HOUSE

    (H) First Reading

  8. 2025-01-20 HOUSE

    (LC) Draft Delivered to Requester

  9. 2025-01-20 HOUSE

    (H) Introduced

  10. 2025-01-13 HOUSE

    (LC) Draft in Assembly

  11. 2025-01-13 HOUSE

    (LC) Draft Ready for Delivery

  12. 2025-01-12 HOUSE

    (LC) Draft in Final Drafter Review

  13. 2025-01-11 HOUSE

    (LC) Draft in Input/Proofing

  14. 2025-01-10 HOUSE

    (LC) Draft in Edit

  15. 2025-01-09 HOUSE

    (LC) Draft in Legal Review

  16. 2024-10-30 HOUSE

    (LC) Drafter Assigned

Official Summary Text

Generally revise digital asset mining and data center ratemaking laws

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 263.1
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 263
1 HOUSE BILL NO. 263
2 INTRODUCED BY K. SULLIVAN
3
4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REQUIRING THE REPORTING OF ELECTRICITY USE FOR
5 CERTAIN ENERGY USERS; ESTABLISHING REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; AMENDING SECTION 69-3-
6 332, MCA; AND PROVIDING A DELAYED EFFECTIVE DATE.”
7
8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
9
10Section 1. Section 69-3-332, MCA, is amended to read:
11 "69-3-332. Digital asset mining and data center ratemaking -- reporting requirement. (1) The
12 commission may not establish a rate classification for digital asset mining, digital asset mining businesses, or
13 home digital asset mining that creates unduly discriminatory rates.
14 (2) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
15 (a) "Data center" means a use involving a building or premises in which the majority of the use is
16 occupied by computers, telecommunications, or related equipment, including supporting equipment, where
17 information is processed, transferred, and stored.
18 (b) "Digital asset mining" means the use of electricity to power a computer for the purpose of
19 securing a blockchain network.
20 (c) "Digital asset mining business" means a group of computers working at a single site that
21 consume more than 1 megawatt of energy on an average annual basis for the purpose of generating digital
22 assets by securing a blockchain network.
23 (d) "Discriminatory rates" means electricity rates substantially different from other industrial similar
24 uses of electricity in similar geographic areas after accounting for the cost of service.
25 (e) "Home digital asset mining" means mining digital assets in areas zoned for residential use that
26 consume less than 1 megawatt of energy on an average annual basis for the purpose of generating digital
27 assets by securing a blockchain network.
28 (3) By March 1 of each year, any data center or digital mining business operating in the state,
****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 263.1
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HB 263
1 excluding home digital asset mining, shall report to the commission and the energy and telecommunications
2 interim committee in accordance with 5-11-210:
3 (a) the total megawatt-hours of electricity consumed in the previous calendar year; and
4 (b) the anticipated megawatt-hours of electricity needed for the current calendar year."
5
6 NEW SECTION. Section 2. Effective date. [This act] is effective March 1, 2026.
7 - END -