Senator's Mother Scammed: Personal Loss Drives Crypto Kiosk Bill

Senator Cathy Tilton sponsored legislation to protect consumers who use cryptocurrency kiosks after her mother fell victim to a scam. SB 249 passed the Alaska House unanimously on May 19, 2026. The Senate had passed it unanimously earlier.

The bill creates a Consumer Bill of Rights for cryptocurrency kiosks. It will go to Governor Mike Dunleavy after the Senate votes to concur. The legislation requires fraud warnings at kiosks. It requires kiosk licensing. It sets daily and monthly transaction limits. It caps transaction fees. It requires operators to cooperate with law enforcement when fraud is reported. Victims can claim refunds when fraud is proven.

Senator Tilton said the bill is intended to put guardrails on cryptocurrency kiosks because kiosks are being used as a way for money to reach scammers. She said Alaska welcomes technological innovation and financial freedom, but emerging technology cannot be weaponized against vulnerable Alaskans.

More than 600 seniors in Alaska were victims of fraud, with losses of $16.25 million, according to the FBI Annual Report cited by the Senate Republican Caucus. The same report concluded that cryptocurrency kiosks are the fastest growing cash-out tool.

Senator Tilton said parents and grandparents spent their lives serving their state, communities, and families while working to build their savings. SB 249 honors the decades of work and service by protecting their hard-earned assets, she said.

The bill now awaits the Senate concurrence vote before moving to the governor.