A local lawmaker is proposing legislation that would permit the state to invest in a popular cryptocurrency.

Rep. Logan Manhart, R-Aberdeen, is the prime sponsor of House Bill 1202, which would allow South Dakota to get into Bitcoin.

Bitcoin is a type of digital currency in which a record of transactions is maintained, and new units of currency are generated by the computational solution of advanced math problems. It operates independently of a central bank.

“The best way to describe Bitcoin is a digital asset. You could consider it to be digital gold,” Manhart said.

“There have been companies that have spent the last year or two pouring immense amounts of hundreds of millions into cryptocurrency, and this digital asset is really protecting against inflation,” he added.

Manhart said there’s been a push on the national level for the federal government to get involved in Bitcoin investments.

MORE: School counselors worried bill could increase youth suicide, self-harm

The bill has yet to be scheduled for a hearing in the House State Affairs Committee.

In other legislation proposed Aberdeen area legislators from districts 1 and 3:

Rep. Brandi Schaefbauer, R-Aberdeen, introduced legislation that would require birth certificates and other official documents to reflect biological sex at birth. House Bill 1260 was referred to the House State Affairs Committee, but no hearing date has been set.

Sen Carl Perry, R-Aberdeen, has proposed legislation that would establish a standard time in this state. Now, East River is on central time, while most of West River uses mountain time. Senate Bill 186 would set central time as South Dakota’s official time. No hearing has yet been set before the Senate State Affairs Committee.

Rep. Chris Reder, R-Warner, is the prime sponsor of legislation that would allow nonresident military members to purchase three-day temporary nonresident waterfowl licenses. House Bill 1188 is set for a hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 10 in the House Military and Veteran Affairs Committee.

Sen. Mike Rohl, R-Aberdeen, has proposed legislation that would increase the minimum age to purchase a lottery ticket from 18 to 21. Senate Bill 203 was referred to the Senate Commerce and Energy Committee, but no hearing has been set.

Rep. Al Novstrup, R-Aberdeen, is the prime sponsor of a bill that would appropriate $500,000 to provide hearing aids to children. Currently, the state provides $200,000 for kids who need cochlear implants. House Bill 1233 has yet to be scheduled for deliberation in the Senate State Affairs Committee.

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