Last-minute proposal threatens Hawaiʻi bill to limit corporate spending in elections

A Hawaiʻi bill challenging the ability of corporations to pour “dark money” into elections has hit a last-minute snag at the Legislature.

The House and Senate now have differing drafts of Senate Bill 2471, which currently proposes to “restate and limit the powers that the State grants to corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, associations, and other artificial persons.”

In its current form, SB 2471 is attempting to redefine such “artificial persons” and reduce their ability to spend on elections. It's positioned Hawaiʻi as a trailblazer in the effort to nullify the impacts of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.

The U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 ruling in the case allowed unlimited and anonymous spending on political action committees, and that “dark money” in turn funds political campaigns.


https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2026-05-01/last-minute-proposal-would-make-significant-changes-to-hawaiis-dark-money-bill