Bill > SB2040

This bill proposes an amendment to the Hawaii State Constitution, specifically Article I, Section 4, which currently protects freedoms like speech, press, assembly, and petition. The proposed change, indicated by the inserted text "<ins>; provided that the participation of non-natural persons in election activities and campaign finance activities may be regulated, restricted or prohibited as provided by law.</ins>", would add a provision allowing the state legislature to regulate, restrict, or even prohibit the involvement of "non-natural persons" in election and campaign finance activities. "Non-natural persons" refers to entities like corporations or unions, as opposed to individual human beings. This amendment aims to give lawmakers more authority to control how these organizations participate in political processes, a significant shift from current interpretations of free speech rights that have been extended to corporations. The bill also outlines the process for putting this proposed amendment on the ballot for voters to decide.

Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2040&year=2026