RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Elections

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: BELATTI, COCHRAN, GRANDINETTI, HASHEM, OLDS, PERRUSO, PIERICK, REYES ODA, SHIMIZU, SOUZA
Last action: 2026-02-10
Official status: The committee(s) on JHA recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on enforcement mechanisms or consequences for violations.

Rules about Corporations and Elections

This bill maintains existing corporate powers but prevents corporations from gaining new powers to engage in election activities.

What This Bill Does

Keeps all the current powers of corporations under state law.
Does not give corporations any power to do things like supporting or opposing political candidates in elections.

Who It Names or Affects

Corporations operating under state law

Terms To Know

Election activity: Activity promoting or opposing a political candidate or position on a ballot question.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens to corporations if they violate the new rules.
It is unclear how this will be enforced and who will enforce it.

Bill History

2026-02-10 H
The committee(s) on JHA recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
2026-02-06 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 02-10-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-01-28 H
Referred to JHA, referral sheet 4
2026-01-26 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-23 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.
Elections; Ballot Questions; Corporations; Powers; Limitations
Provides that any corporation operating under state law shall hold all the corporate powers it previously held; provided that nothing in state law shall be construed to grant or recognize any corporate power to engage in election activity.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB2125

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2125

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING
TO ELECTIONS
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

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SECTION
1.
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Chapter 414, Hawaii Revised Statutes,
is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and
to read as follows:

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�414-
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Election
activities; prohibited.
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(a)
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Any corporation operating under this title or any other state law shall
hold all of the corporate powers it held prior to the effective date of
Act
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,
Session Laws of Hawaii 2026; provided that nothing in state law shall be
construed to grant or recognize any corporate power to engage in election
activity.

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(b)
�

For the purposes of this section, "election activity"

means activity promoting or opposing
a political candidate or position on a ballot question.
"

����
SECTION
2.
�
This Act does not affect rights and
duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were
begun before its effective date.

����
SECTION
3.
�
New statutory material is
underscored.

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SECTION
4.
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This Act shall take effect upon its
approval.

INTRODUCED
BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Elections;
Ballot Questions; Corporations; Powers; Limitations

Description:

Provides
that any corporation operating under state law shall hold all the corporate
powers it previously held; provided that nothing in state law shall be
construed to grant or recognize any corporate power to engage in election
activity.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.