Hawaii Challenges Citizens United with New Corporate Personhood Law

The law, set to take effect next July, explicitly targets the legal framework that granted corporations broad free speech rights, effectively treating them as individuals in the context of campaign finance. By defining corporations as artificial entities, the state aims to bypass federal precedents that have allowed for unlimited spending by super PACs and other opaque political organizations.

State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, a key proponent of the legislation, emphasized the shift in political focus, stating that elected officials serve the people rather than corporate interests. While the bill faced internal resistance from Attorney General Anne Lopez, who warned of potential litigation costs, the measure has been widely lauded by advocacy groups. Reform organizations like Issue One and End Citizens United described the move as a vital blueprint for other states looking to restore transparency and curb the influence of dark money in American elections.