Montana Governor Signs Right to Computational Technology Act Into Law
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) signed the Right to Compute Act into law Wednesday, codifying state residents' ability to own and use computational technology, such as hardware, software and processing tools. It had previously passed the Senate 50-0 and the House 61-38.
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Introduced by Sen. Daniel Zolnikov (R), SB-212 emphasizes the importance of allowing Montanans to own and utilize computational tools and limits government restrictions on them. The act additionally requires that risk management policies be developed around critical infrastructure involving the use of AI.
The law garnered support from leaders of tech companies and think tanks, including Talal Thabet, co-founder of Haltia.AI and Asimov Protocol. "The Right to Compute bill in Montana is a monumental step forward in ensuring that individuals retain their right to control their own data, protect their privacy, and engage with technology on their own terms," he said.
Tanner Avery, Frontier Institute’s policy director, also applauded the law in a news release. “With the passage of the Right to Compute Act, Montana has planted a flag in the ground, affirming that here, we will treat attempts to infringe on fundamental rights in the digital age with the utmost scrutiny."
According to Haltia.AI, New Hampshire is currently trying to pass similar legislation. Rep. Keith Ammon (R) introduced a resolution to amend the New Hampshire constitution to include language saying that the right of residents to use computational technology will not be infringed. In a news release, he congratulated Zolnikov on "being the first to establish the ‘right to compute’ in law!"
"Like New Hampshire, Montana has a strong history of valuing individual freedom and embracing frontier technologies," Ammon added. "I expect other states to follow your lead and protect citizens' right to access and express themselves through computation.”