Emerging Technologies usher in business models that may not fit into our existing legal definitions. An example of this is the innovation blockchain and digital assets are creating in the world of finance and insurance. 

Our current legislative slate is designed to:

* Establish the state as an incubator for tech industries seeking to develop innovation by using blockchain technology;

* Define the role of virtual currencies, their use and utility within the state’s own transition to a digital economy;

* Provide an opt-in framework for state chartered banks to provide custodial services for digital assets;

* Modify the state’s Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) to ensure the proper treatment of digital assets as bearer assets;

* Create a legislative task force to study blockchain technologies with a specific purpose of understanding the benefits of utilizing blockchain technology to enhance voting integrity in the state;

* Extend First Amendment protections to programmers and coders by providing limitations on criminal liability for digital expression, and;

* Promote the adoption of virtual currencies by allowing political candidates statewide to accept digital currencies as campaign contributions.

… and that’s just the starting point.