Dusty Deevers, a member of the Oklahoma Senate, has announced the introduction of SB235, known as the Bitcoin Freedom Act. This legislation would allow residents of Oklahoma to opt into Bitcoin payments as a hedge against inflation. Deevers reported this development on his X account on January 8.
"The Bitcoin Freedom Act allows workers to opt in to being paid in Bitcoin if they choose to," said Deevers. "I will fight for this bill, for tax cuts, and for getting the government off your back and out of your pocketbook. It is past time to start looking at options less vulnerable to D.C. recklessness and incompetence. Bitcoin provides a unique opportunity to protect earnings and investments."
In his tweet on January 8, which linked to a press release on the Oklahoma Senate website, Deevers explained that SB325, the Bitcoin Freedom Act, would enable Oklahoma employees and vendors to use Bitcoin as a payment option. He said the bill aims to leverage Bitcoin's fixed supply and resistance to devaluation as tools for preserving wealth and protecting earnings from inflation driven by federal monetary policies. Deevers emphasized that the bill ensures voluntary participation, respects free-market principles, and seeks to position Oklahoma as a national leader in adopting innovative financial technologies to provide citizens with greater financial flexibility and choice.
According to the Senate Bill, The Bitcoin Freedom Act leverages the Tenth Amendment to authorize the use of Bitcoin in Oklahoma as a secure and decentralized financial tool. It allows businesses, residents, and the state to use it for transactions, salaries, and investments while ensuring compliance with state and federal laws. The bill aims to foster economic growth by defining key terms like Bitcoin, digital assets, and self-hosted wallets to promote fiscal transparency and innovation.
Republican Governor Kevin Stitt signed the Bitcoin Rights bill (HB3594) into law. This legislation prohibits the state from restricting cryptocurrency use for legal transactions, protects the right to self-custody Bitcoin through hardware wallets, and allows citizens to engage in home mining activities within local noise ordinances. It also addresses the energy-intensive nature of crypto mining while supporting a legal framework for digital assets in Oklahoma.
Dusty Deevers is also known for his role as pastor at Grace Reformed Baptist Church of Elgin since 2016. He holds a Master of Divinity with languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (2008) and a B.S. in biology from Oklahoma City University (2001). Additionally, he serves as CEO of Deevers Properties, bringing business, administrative, and financial expertise to his leadership roles.