VIRTUAL TOWN HALL MEETING TO DISCUSS ACT 11 (SB 2471): HAWAIʻI’S NEW LAW LIMITING CORPORATE POLITICAL SPENDING

News Release from Hawaii Senate Democratic Caucus, June 8, 2026

HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI - The public is invited to participate in a virtual town hall on Friday, June 12, to discuss Hawaiʻi’s newly enacted Act 11 (SB 2471), a landmark campaign finance law that limits the political spending power of corporations and other artificial entities. The discussion will explore the legislation, its legal framework, implementation timeline, and its implications for elections and campaign finance in Hawaiʻi.  

“SB 2471 is a landmark change to our campaign finance system and is the first bill of its kind in the nation to directly challenge the notorious Citizens United ruling,” said Jarrett Keohokalole, Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee Chair. "We encourage everyone to join the discussion, ask questions, and engage in a thoughtful conversation about the future of campaign finance and elections in our state."

"Our democracy works best when the public has confidence that elections are driven by the voices of people, not the financial power of artificial entities," said Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Karl Rhoads, who was the lead introducer of the bill. "Act 11 represents a significant step in addressing the influence of corporate money in politics, and this town hall will give residents an opportunity to better understand the law, its legal foundations, and its potential impact on the future of elections in Hawaiʻi. An informed public is essential to preserving a fair, transparent, and accountable democratic process."

WHO:

• Tom Moore, Center for American Progress
• Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Chair of the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee
• Senator Karl Rhoads, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee

WHAT:  Virtual Town Hall: Understanding Act 11 and Hawaiʻi’s New Approach to Corporate Political Spending

WHEN: Friday, June 12, 2026 10:00-11:30 a.m. HST

WHERE:  Virtual Event. Registration is required. To register, click here.

WHY:  Act 11 reaffirms that corporations and other artificial entities possess only those powers granted by the State and specifies that those powers do not include spending money or contributing anything of value to influence elections or ballot measures. The town hall will provide an opportunity for community members to learn more about the law, hear from legislative leaders and policy experts, and ask questions about its potential impact on Hawaiʻi's democratic process and its role in addressing the outsized influence of corporate money in politics.

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REALITY: Lawsuit: Hawaii 'Corporate Personhood' law silences nonprofits and civic groups