House Engrossed blockchain and cryptocurrency study committee (now: cryptocurrency and blockchain commission) State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-seventh Legislature First Regular Session 2025 HOUSE BILL 2654 AN ACT amending title 18, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding chapter 7; amending title 41, chapter 27, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 41-3028.16; relating to cryptocurrency and blockchain. (TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
House Engrossed blockchain and cryptocurrency study committee
(now: cryptocurrency and blockchain commission) State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-seventh Legislature First Regular Session 2025
HOUSE BILL 2654
House Engrossed
blockchain and cryptocurrency study committee
(now: cryptocurrency and blockchain commission)
State of Arizona
House of Representatives
Fifty-seventh Legislature
First Regular Session
2025
HOUSE BILL 2654
AN ACT
amending title 18, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding chapter 7; amending title 41, chapter 27, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 41-3028.16; relating to cryptocurrency and blockchain.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona: Section 1. Title 18, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding chapter 7, to read: CHAPTER 7 CRYPTOCURRENCY AND BLOCKCHAIN ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS START_STATUTE18-701. Arizona cryptocurrency and blockchain commission; crypto czar; members; duties; reports A. The Arizona cryptocurrency and blockchain commission is established to: 1. Advise on cryptocurrency and blockchain-related matters including policies, pilot programs, and initiatives. 2. Develop strategies and cryptocurrency and blockchain solutions to position Arizona as a leader in blockchain innovation designed to improve transparency, increase efficiency and enhance the delivery of services to Arizona residents. 3. Partner with and facilitate collaboration with academic institutions, industry leaders, innovators, firms, startups and the white house, with the aim of supporting blockchain technologies and furthering cryptocurrency and blockchain adoption, ensuring its integration in Arizona's economy. 4. Promote cryptocurrency and blockchain literacy and workforce development within educational institutions. 5. Provide cryptocurrency and blockchain training programs for Arizona law enforcement agencies to promote blockchain literacy and workforce development. 6. Research, propose and help develop innovative, risk-averse and industry-supportive cryptocurrency and blockchain legislation. B. The commission is established consisting of the following members: 1. Three members of the Arizona house of representatives who are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, not more than two of whom are members of the same political party. The speaker of the house of representatives shall designate one member to serve as chairperson of the committee. 2. Three members of the Arizona senate who are appointed by the president of the senate, not more than two of whom are members of the same political party. 3. A blockchain and cryptocurrency specialist who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. This member will serve as the designated person to oversee the commission's operations, ensuring overall efficiency and adherence to the established objectives of the committee. 4. A senior director of a consulting firm who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. 5. A senior manager of a financial institution who is appointed by the president of the senate. 6. A partner of a venture firm who has expertise in cryptocurrency and financial operations and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. 7. Five individuals who specialize in blockchain technologies and innovations, three of which are appointed by the President of the senate and two of which are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. 8. An attorney who specializes in cryptocurrency and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. 9. An experienced cryptocurrency consultant who is appointed by the president of the senate. 10. A university professor who specializes in blockchain and is from a university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents who is appointed by the president of the senate. 11. The chief executive officer of the Arizona commerce authority or the chief executive officer's designee. 12. The director of the department of revenue or the director's designee. 13. The director of the department of insurance and financial institutions or the director's designee. 14. The attorney general or the attorney general's designee. C. The committee shall meet on the call of its chairperson. D. From among its membership, the commission shall appoint the Arizona crypto czar to help lead state cryptocurrency and blockchain initiatives and coordinate with federal initiatives. The crypto czar shall: 1. Act as the primary liaison between Arizona and federal cryptocurrency and blockchain initiatives. 2. Advocate for cryptocurrency and blockchain adoption in alignment with state and federal policies. 3. Coordinate cryptocurrency and blockchain projects and pilot programs within the state. 4. Submit updates to the commission to the governor and legislature on the commission's progress, initiatives, and outcomes. E. The commission may create subcommittees to address specific blockchain adoption and integration to provide detailed and informed recommendations to the commission and may: 1. Research and analyze topics within their designated focus areas to provide recommendations. 2. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure alignment with state and federal blockchain initiatives. 3. Identify challenges and opportunities in blockchain adoption and propose actionable solutions. 4. Support the implementation of pilot programs, policies and educational initiatives related to their designated focus areas. 5. Provide progress updates and reports to the commission on their activities and findings. F. The commission may work with national and international blockchain experts that provide strategic guidance and expert recommendations to the commission on blockchain trends, technologies and global best practices. The commission may seek guidance from experts to: 1. Evaluate proposed blockchain initiatives and pilot programs. 2. Offer insights on emerging blockchain technologies and innovations. 3. Facilitate connections with global blockchain leaders, organizations and research institutions. 4. Ensure that the commission's strategies align with international standards and best practices. G. The commission shall prepare a report to the governor and the legislature by December 1 of each year detailing its activities and recommending legislation on cryptocurrency and blockchain solutions.END_STATUTE Sec. 2. Title 41, chapter 27, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-3028.16, to read: START_STATUTE41-3028.16. Arizona cryptocurrency and blockchain commission; termination July 1, 2028 A. The Arizona cryptocurrency and blockchain commission terminates on July 1, 2028. B. Title 18, chapter 7, article 1 and this section are repealed on January 1, 2029.END_STATUTE Sec. 3. Purpose Pursuant to section 41-2955, subsection E, Arizona Revised Statutes, the legislature establishes the Arizona cryptocurrency and blockchain commission to advise on cryptocurrency and blockchain-related matters. Sec. 4. Emergency This act is an emergency measure that is necessary to preserve the public peace, health or safety and is operative immediately as provided by law.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 18, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding chapter 7, to read:
CHAPTER 7
CRYPTOCURRENCY AND BLOCKCHAIN
ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
START_STATUTE18-701. Arizona cryptocurrency and blockchain commission; crypto czar; members; duties; reports
A. The Arizona cryptocurrency and blockchain commission is established to:
1. Advise on cryptocurrency and blockchain-related matters including policies, pilot programs, and initiatives.
2. Develop strategies and cryptocurrency and blockchain solutions to position Arizona as a leader in blockchain innovation designed to improve transparency, increase efficiency and enhance the delivery of services to Arizona residents.
3. Partner with and facilitate collaboration with academic institutions, industry leaders, innovators, firms, startups and the white house, with the aim of supporting blockchain technologies and furthering cryptocurrency and blockchain adoption, ensuring its integration in Arizona's economy.
4. Promote cryptocurrency and blockchain literacy and workforce development within educational institutions.
5. Provide cryptocurrency and blockchain training programs for Arizona law enforcement agencies to promote blockchain literacy and workforce development.
6. Research, propose and help develop innovative, risk-averse and industry-supportive cryptocurrency and blockchain legislation.
B. The commission is established consisting of the following members:
1. Three members of the Arizona house of representatives who are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, not more than two of whom are members of the same political party. The speaker of the house of representatives shall designate one member to serve as chairperson of the committee.
2. Three members of the Arizona senate who are appointed by the president of the senate, not more than two of whom are members of the same political party.
3. A blockchain and cryptocurrency specialist who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. This member will serve as the designated person to oversee the commission's operations, ensuring overall efficiency and adherence to the established objectives of the committee.
4. A senior director of a consulting firm who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
5. A senior manager of a financial institution who is appointed by the president of the senate.
6. A partner of a venture firm who has expertise in cryptocurrency and financial operations and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
7. Five individuals who specialize in blockchain technologies and innovations, three of which are appointed by the President of the senate and two of which are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
8. An attorney who specializes in cryptocurrency and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
9. An experienced cryptocurrency consultant who is appointed by the president of the senate.
10. A university professor who specializes in blockchain and is from a university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents who is appointed by the president of the senate.
11. The chief executive officer of the Arizona commerce authority or the chief executive officer's designee.
12. The director of the department of revenue or the director's designee.
13. The director of the department of insurance and financial institutions or the director's designee.
14. The attorney general or the attorney general's designee.
C. The committee shall meet on the call of its chairperson.
D. From among its membership, the commission shall appoint the Arizona crypto czar to help lead state cryptocurrency and blockchain initiatives and coordinate with federal initiatives. The crypto czar shall:
1. Act as the primary liaison between Arizona and federal cryptocurrency and blockchain initiatives.
2. Advocate for cryptocurrency and blockchain adoption in alignment with state and federal policies.
3. Coordinate cryptocurrency and blockchain projects and pilot programs within the state.
4. Submit updates to the commission to the governor and legislature on the commission's progress, initiatives, and outcomes.
E. The commission may create subcommittees to address specific blockchain adoption and integration to provide detailed and informed recommendations to the commission and may:
1. Research and analyze topics within their designated focus areas to provide recommendations.
2. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure alignment with state and federal blockchain initiatives.
3. Identify challenges and opportunities in blockchain adoption and propose actionable solutions.
4. Support the implementation of pilot programs, policies and educational initiatives related to their designated focus areas.
5. Provide progress updates and reports to the commission on their activities and findings.
F. The commission may work with national and international blockchain experts that provide strategic guidance and expert recommendations to the commission on blockchain trends, technologies and global best practices. The commission may seek guidance from experts to:
1. Evaluate proposed blockchain initiatives and pilot programs.
2. Offer insights on emerging blockchain technologies and innovations.
3. Facilitate connections with global blockchain leaders, organizations and research institutions.
4. Ensure that the commission's strategies align with international standards and best practices.
G. The commission shall prepare a report to the governor and the legislature by December 1 of each year detailing its activities and recommending legislation on cryptocurrency and blockchain solutions.END_STATUTE
Sec. 2. Title 41, chapter 27, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-3028.16, to read:
START_STATUTE41-3028.16. Arizona cryptocurrency and blockchain commission; termination July 1, 2028
A. The Arizona cryptocurrency and blockchain commission terminates on July 1, 2028.
B. Title 18, chapter 7, article 1 and this section are repealed on January 1, 2029.END_STATUTE
Sec. 3. Purpose
Pursuant to section 41-2955, subsection E, Arizona Revised Statutes, the legislature establishes the Arizona cryptocurrency and blockchain commission to advise on cryptocurrency and blockchain-related matters.
Sec. 4. Emergency
This act is an emergency measure that is necessary to preserve the public peace, health or safety and is operative immediately as provided by law.