Honolulu, Hawaii (March 10, 2026) – The Hawaii State Senate today passed unanimously with bipartisan support SB2982, a bill prohibiting foreign-influenced corporations from spending money to influence local and state elections.

The legislation, introduced by Senator Chris Lee, would bar corporations with significant foreign ownership from contributing to candidates, parties, or committees (including super PACs) or from engaging in their own direct election spending.

“It’s easy for foreign corporations who want to change laws and policies over the objection of local communities to dump millions into Super PACs and try to buy their way,” says Senator Lee. “This bill would help stop foreign influence in elections, and keep local decisions in the hands of local communities.”

Across the country, companies with significant foreign ownership have used their money to influence the outcome of elections and political agendas in their favor. The Supreme Court’s 2010 decision in Citizens United created a loophole for foreign interests to acquire stakes in U.S. corporations and then use that leverage to influence or control the corporation’s political activity, including campaign contributions, contributions to super PACs, and independent expenditures.

Multinational corporations affected by the SB2982 are those owned 1% or more by a single foreign investor, or 5% or more by multiple foreign investors. These thresholds reflect levels of ownership that are widely agreed (including by entities such as the Business Roundtable) to be high enough to influence corporate governance.

The policy stems from model legislation developed by Free Speech For People, a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to renew our democracy and limit the influence of money in our elections. Free Speech For People helped to pass similar legislation in San Jose, California, in 2024, and in Seattle, Washington, in 2020. Additional bills are under consideration in Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania.

“This much-needed reform is being considered at a time when faith in our democratic institutions is faltering,” says Jocelyn Medearis-Viera, Grassroots Organizing Strategist at Free Speech For People. “By passing SB 2982, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature has the opportunity to ensure that the voices of the people of Hawaiʻi are being heard without being drowned out by multinational corporate spending. We applaud the Hawaiʻi State Senate for passing this bill and we urge the Hawaiʻi House to do the same.”

Free Speech For People is working in partnership with Common Cause Hawaii to support SB2982.

“In a time when it counts the most, Hawaii state senators have taken an unwavering stand in helping to ensure that elections in Hawaii are safeguarded from foreign money influence,” says Camron Hurt, State Director for Common Cause Hawaii. “We thank them for their profound leadership in this moment. We are truly inspired and hopeful that their colleagues in the House will adopt this bill as well, making it law.”