Hawaii vs. citizens united

Hawaii Citizens United: Hawaii became the first state in the nation to circumvent the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling by passing legislation that redefines corporate powers. Signed into law by Governor Josh Green on May 14, 2026, the law stipulates that spending on elections is not a power granted to corporations operating in the state. [1 (https://www.courthousenews.com/hawaii-legislature-passes-first-in-nation-bill-targeting-citizens-united-ruling/), 2 (https://prospect.org/2026/05/18/hawaii-state-legislature-citizens-united-corporations-politics/), 3 (https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/listen-ali-velshi-hawaii-bill-bans-corporate-spending-elections/)] Key Details of the Legislation: • Novel Legal Strategy: The law uses well-established corporate law doctrine, which holds that states create corporations and define their legal capabilities. Because electioneering is not enumerated in state-issued corporate charters, corporations do not possess the authority to spend on Hawaii elections or ballot measures. [1 (https://news.bloomberglaw.com/legal-exchange-insights-and-commentary/hawaiis-new-law-on-corporate-donations-is-a-model-for-us-states), 2 (https://www.holtzmanvogel.com/news-insights/hawaii-governor-signs-first-of-its-kind-legislation-to-circumvent-citizens-united-legal-challenges-expected), 3 (https://www.courthousenews.com/hawaii-legislature-passes-first-in-nation-bill-targeting-citizens-united-ruling/), 4 (https://prospect.org/2026/05/18/hawaii-state-legislature-citizens-united-corporations-politics/)] • Effective Date: The legislation is scheduled to officially go into effect on July 1, 2027. [1 (https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/new-hawaii-law-targets-corporate-influence-politics-after-132987916), 2 (https://www.courthousenews.com/hawaii-legislature-passes-first-in-nation-bill-targeting-citizens-united-ruling/)] • Penalties: Corporations violating the restriction face severe consequences, including the loss of tax privileges, suspension of the right to contract with the state government, and the potential revocation of the right to conduct business in Hawaii entirely. [1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBGpEcPrbso&t=69), 2 (https://prospect.org/2026/05/18/hawaii-state-legislature-citizens-united-corporations-politics/)] • Impact on Outside Entities: The law targets all corporations doing business in the state, regardless of where they were originally incorporated, setting the stage for major constitutional battles regarding free speech and interstate commerce. [1 (https://www.holtzmanvogel.com/news-insights/hawaii-governor-signs-first-of-its-kind-legislation-to-circumvent-citizens-united-legal-challenges-expected), 2 (https://prospect.org/2026/05/18/hawaii-state-legislature-citizens-united-corporations-politics/)] Read more about the mechanics of this legislation in the Bloomberg Law Legal Exchange or check out the full legislative text and details via Hawaii Senate Bill 2471 (https://www.courthousenews.com/hawaii-legislature-passes-first-in-nation-bill-targeting-citizens-united-ruling/). [1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYCETdsHV7E), 2 (https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/listen-ali-velshi-hawaii-bill-bans-corporate-spending-elections/)] It’s time for PA to do the same!