Montana Becomes First State to Enshrine 'Right to Compute' into Law (montananewsroom.com)

Montana has become the first U.S. state to enshrine a “Right to Compute” after Governor Greg Gianforte signed Senate Bill 212, the Montana Right to Compute Act (MRTCA). The law affirms citizens’ ability to own and operate computational resources — hardware, software and AI tools — framing access to computation as a protected interest alongside property and free expression. Backed by sponsor Sen. Daniel Zolnikov and tech-policy advocates, the statute signals a pro-access, digitally libertarian approach that contrasts with recent restrictive AI proposals in states like California and New York. Technically, the MRTCA allows the state to regulate computation only under a high legal standard: restrictions must be demonstrably necessary and narrowly tailored to serve a compelling public health or safety interest. For AI systems tied to critical infrastructure it mandates an emergency “shutdown mechanism” for human override and annual safety reviews. The law also fuels a growing Right-to-Compute movement (RightToCompute.ai) and inspired similar efforts in New Hampshire; supporters include decentralized-AI groups like ASIMOV Protocol and startups such as Haltia.AI. Implications include stronger legal protections for individual control over data and tools, potential tensions with sector-specific safety regulations or federal authority, and a model other states may adopt as debates over access, accountability and decentralized AI infrastructure continue.