Hawaii Challenges Citizens United With Corporate Election Spending Ban
A state Senate bill, SB 2471, proposes to make the controversial Citizens United campaign finance law irrelevant in Hawaiʻi by redefining corporations as “artificial persons” created by state law. This redefinition would clarify that their granted powers do not include spending money to influence elections, thereby challenging super PACs and their opaque funding. While the bill has advanced through the Senate and one House committee, the Attorney General’s office opposes it, citing potential constitutional concerns and litigation risks. Supporters, however, believe the bill aligns with the state’s authority to define corporate powers and could lead to greater transparency in political donations.
John Q. Hosedrinker