A Texas lawmaker has proposed a constitutional amendment relating to the right to own, hold and use digital currencies such as bitcoin in the state.

Introduced on 2nd March, Texas House Joint Resolution 89 seeks to amend Article I of the Texas state constitution to protect the right to use any "mutually agreed upon medium of exchange". The bill is being sponsored by Representative Matt Schaefer.

The resolution states:

“Article I, Texas Constitution, is amended by adding Section 35 to read as follows:
Sec. 35.  The right of the people to own, hold, and use a mutually agreed upon medium of exchange, including cash, coin, bullion, digital currency, or scrip, when trading and contracting for goods and services shall not be infringed. No government shall prohibit or encumber the ownership or holding of any form or amount of money or other currency.”

According to CoinDesk, the proposed amendment would be submitted to Texas voters for approval in November 2017, if it passes the legislation.