Legislators in Texas have voted to alter the Bill of Rights in the state, adding a provision to recognise the right to own, hold and use crypto assets.

The bill, referred to as HJR 146, was introduced by State Representative Giovani Capriglione and stated that individuals have the right to utilise a mutually agreed upon medium of exchange, including cryptocurrencies, cash, bullion and scrip, for trading and contracting goods and services.

The bill received a total of 139 votes in favour and just two against. In addition, it includes a statement that “no government shall prohibit or hinder the ownership or holding of any form or quantity of money or other currency,” Cointelegraph reports.

The Texas Bill of Rights is similar to the US Bill of Rights in terms of protecting essential liberties such as religion, freedom of speech and press. Yet it also comprises specific clauses relating to Texas, such as the right to a swift trial.

This latest amendment – if it should become law – will also give the citizens of Texas the right to use digital currencies such as Bitcoin.

On Thursday, Tom Glass, who established the Texas Constitutional Enforcement group, said one more House vote remains on HJR 146, and then it will go to the Senate and a vote of the people, Cryptopolitan reports.

The Texas Constitutional Enforcement group states that including digital currencies in the Texas Bill of Rights is essential to protect the financial privacy of people in the state.

The group added that the use of alternative currencies is needed to safeguard people’s wealth from being impacted by an unstable Dollar.

This latest development follows on from Senator Ted Cruz’s introduction in January of the “Adopting Cryptocurrency in Congress as an Exchange of Payment for Transactions Resolution,” urging the federal government to promote the adoption of crypto at the Capitol.