Corporate Political Spending Limited by New Hawaiʻi Law
The law takes effect July 1, 2027, and backers say it could curb $1.9 billion in dark-money spending tracked in 2024.
- On Thursday, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green signed Senate Bill 2471 into law, redefining corporations as entities barred from political spending. The measure takes effect July 1, 2027, and directly challenges the 2010 Supreme Court Citizens United ruling.
- The 2010 Supreme Court Citizens United decision opened a 'disturbing floodgate' for unlimited political spending. Watchdog groups tracked more than $4 billion in outside political spending in 2024 federal elections, with the Brennan Center for Justice tallying a record $1.9 billion in 'dark money.'
- Senate Bill 2471 classifies corporations as 'artificial persons' that retain business privileges but cannot contribute value to influence elections. This strategy aims to create a more transparent political field by curbing outsized special-interest forces.
- Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez opposed the measure, warning it will be difficult and costly to defend in court. Tom Moore of the Center for American Progress praised the law as 'a brave and bold step' for democracy.
- At least 14 other states have launched similar efforts to counter Citizens United. In Montana, activists are gathering signatures for a ballot initiative dubbed 'The Montana Plan' before voters in the November election.
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Editorial: Reduce corporate money in politics | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
The tiny 50th State of Hawaii has an enormous chance to lead the nation in turning the tide of murky corporate and “dark money” in elections — a disturbing floodgate opened in 2010 by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision. Senate Bill 2471, passed nearly unanimously by the state Legislature last week, is now law. Gov. Josh Green signed the bill Thursday, and it becomes effective July 1, 2027.
Three presidents, Trump, Clinton and W Bush, will turn 80 this summer, Hawaii is introducing a new law that will curb the influence of billionaires in politics – and Swedish-American inventor Ericson is being recognized in the USA.
Associated Press News
New Hawaii law targets corporate influence in politics after Citizens United ruling
Hawaii's Democratic governor has signed a bill to curb corporate and "dark money" influence in politics. This move comes after the 2010 U.S.
Press Release | GOVERNOR SIGNS SENATE BILL 2471 INTO LAW TO LIMIT CORPORATE POLITICAL SPENDING IN HAWAI’I | Hawaiʻi State Senate Majority
HONOLULU - Governor Josh Green today signed Senate Bill 2471 SD2 HD2 CD2 now Act 011 into law, establishing new restrictions on political spending activities by corporations and other “artificial persons” organized under Hawai’i law by redefining and limiting the powers granted to those entities.Act 011 clarifies that artificial entities created under state law possess only those powers necessary or convenient to carry out their lawful business …
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