New Hawaii law targets corporate influence after Citizens United ruling

Hawaii will bar corporations from spending on elections starting July 1, 2027, as part of a new approach to address political spending. The organizers of this bill say they were first inspired by the actions taken in the State of Montana to limit and outlaw corporate campaign spending.

Hawaii’s Democratic governor signed a groundbreaking bill to redefine corporations in a way that excludes their election spending. This legislative move challenges the status quo established by the 2010 Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which allowed corporate spending on elections as long as it did not directly fund campaigns.

The new law targets the $4 billion-plus in outside political spending reported for the 2024 federal elections, including $1.9 billion classified as dark money, which remains undisclosed. The legal strategy was developed by the Center for American Progress; however, the Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez’s office opposed the measure due to anticipated legal challenges. Tom Moore, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, praised Hawaii’s action as a brave and bold step that will send a powerful message across the Pacific and mainland.

Meanwhile, a volunteer group in Montana is gathering signatures to place a similar measure before voters in November, which could influence local political discussions.

New Hawaii law targets corporate influence after Citizens United ruling
By Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, AP News