Lawmakers in the Texas House of Representatives have approved a new amendment to the state’s Bill of Rights that protects individuals’ freedom to own, hold, and use digital currencies. The decision was made on May 3, 2023, with an overwhelming majority of 139 votes in favor and only two against.
The bill proposing the amendment, known as HJR 146, was introduced by State Representative Giovani Capriglione. It asserts that individuals have the right to use any mutually agreed-upon medium of exchange, including digital currencies, cash, coin, bullion, or scrip, for trading goods and services and that this right cannot be infringed upon.
The new amendment explicitly states that no authority can prohibit or obstruct the possession of money or any other form of currency in any shape or quantity.
According to Tom Glass, founder of the Texas Constitutional Enforcement group, HJR 146 is awaiting one more House vote before proceeding to the Senate and ultimately a popular vote. Glass stated that the aim of the measure is to use the recognition of the right to acquire, keep, and use digital currencies in the Texas Bill of Rights as a basis for legal arguments in federal courts.
The Texas House #txlege voted 139 to 2 tonight to add the following to the Texas Bill of Rights:
The right of the people to own, hold, and use a mutually agreed upon medium of exchange, including cash, coin, bullion, digital currency, or scrip, when trading and contracting for… pic.twitter.com/op3t8rr6J2
— Tom Glass (@tomgglass) May 11, 2023
In a blog post published in 2021, The Texas Constitutional Enforcement group argued that this legislation is crucial for protecting Texans’ financial privacy by including digital currencies in the state’s Bill of Rights. The group emphasized that using alternative currencies is necessary to safeguard the accumulated wealth of Texans against potential dollar instability and give them greater control over their financial future.
The Texas Bill of Rights safeguards fundamental liberties, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press, in line with the U.S. Bill of Rights. However, it also includes provisions specific to Texas, such as the right to a speedy trial and the right to carry a weapon for self-defense.
The bill was passed in the Texas House of Representatives on May 10, 2023, and has been sent to the Business and Commerce Committee of the Texas Senate. If the legislation is passed into law, it will strengthen the rights of Texans to use digital currencies as an alternative to traditional fiat currencies and legalize the use of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin in the state.
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