HR1017

House Resolution 1017 authorizes the introduction of a legislative bill to amend the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2023. The proposed legislation seeks to grant the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission the authority to monitor the water usage of blockchain and digital asset mining operations and take action if usage is deemed excessive. Additionally, it empowers the Arkansas Public Service Commission to monitor the impact of these same operations on the state's electric grid. The bill allows the Public Service Commission to order utility companies to halt service to digital asset mining businesses if their operations threaten grid reliability. Finally, the bill mandates the promulgation of administrative rules by both commissions to implement these new oversight powers by early 2025.