Texas Votes to Recognize Crypto in State’s Bill of Rights
State legislators in Texas have voted to amend the Texas Bill of Rights, acknowledging the right of individuals to use digital currencies.
A Historical Decision by Texas Lawmakers
On Wednesday, May 10, lawmakers voted in favor of Bill HJR 146. Introduced by State Representative Giovani Capriglione, the bill emphasizes the right to use a mutually agreed upon medium of exchange, including digital currencies, cash, coin, bullion, or scrip, for trading and contracting goods and services.
The Bill’s Overwhelming Support
The bill secured 139 votes in favor and only two against. It includes a critical declaration that “no government shall prohibit or hinder the ownership or holding of any form or quantity of money or other currency.“
The Texas Bill of Rights and Cryptocurrency
The Texas Bill of Rights already protects essential liberties like freedom of speech, religion, and press. However, this amendment could grant Texans the added privilege of using digital currencies, such as Bitcoin.
The Path to Becoming Law
For the amendment to become law, it needs to pass one more House vote, then it will proceed to the Senate and eventually to a vote of the people. Tom Glass, founder of the Texas Constitutional Enforcement group, highlighted this path in his remarks on Thursday, May 11.
A Legal Argument Leveraging the Right to Use Digital Currencies
Glass explained that the bill seeks to use the inclusion of digital currencies in the Texas Bill of Rights to make a legal argument within the federal judiciary. This argument hinges on the ninth amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which acknowledges the existence of natural rights beyond those explicitly listed in the first eight amendments.
Safeguarding Texans’ Financial Privacy
The Texas Constitutional Enforcement group believes that including digital currencies in the Texas Bill of Rights is key to protecting Texans’ financial privacy. They argue that using alternative currencies can protect Texans’ wealth from being eroded by a potentially unstable U.S. dollar. They also insist that Texans should not be forced to depend solely on the services of global financial elites, as it would put their financial assets at risk of devaluation and confiscation.
