Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii SB2471: Relating to the Powers of Artificial Persons.
Status: Signed into law, May 14, 2026
Reaffirms that artificial persons created under state law possess only those powers that are necessary or convenient to carry out lawful business and charitable or organizational purposes, and that those powers do not include the power to spend money or contribute anything of value to influence elections or ballot measures. Revokes all prior grants of corporate and entity powers and regrants only those powers that the State determines to be necessary or convenient to conduct lawful business under the constitution and laws of this State.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to the powers of artificial persons. parti.
From the enrolled text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE POWERS OF ARTIFICIAL PERSONS. PARTI SECTION 1. The legislature finds that all political power in the State is inherent in the people, and that the creation of a corporation or other artificial legal entity is a privilege granted by the State, not a natural right. Under article I, section 21, of the Hawaii State Constitution, no grant of special privileges or immunities is irrevocable and the legislature retains full authority to redefine or withdraw any corporate or entity powers that the State has conferred. The legislature further finds that judicial decisions of the United States Supreme Court recognize that the State possesses plenary authority to determine the powers and capacities of the artificial persons it creates. This Act exercises that authority to restate and limit the powers that the State grants to corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, associations, and other artificial persons. 2026--3515 SB2471 CD2 HMSO No. ~ S.B. Page2 C.D. The legislature further finds that statutes in the State and other jurisdictions have historically included broad grants of corporate powers. State law currently authorizes a corporation to have "the same powers as an individual to do all things necessary or convenient to carry out its business and affairs". The United States Supreme Court has interpreted these broad grants of powers to …
Sponsors
- Karl Rhoads (D, 13) · primary sponsor
- Carol Fukunaga (D, 11)
- Jarrett Keohokalole (D, 24)
- Joy San Buenaventura (D, 2)
Latest actions
- : Act 011, on 05/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1111).
- : Act 011, 05/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1111).
- : Enrolled to Governor.
- : Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 889).
- : Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 820).
- : Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 2). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) San Buenaventura).
- : Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 2 with Representative(s) Shimizu voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Muraoka voting no (1) and none excused (0).
- : 48 Hrs. Notice 05-08-26
- : Report filed.
- : Separated Committee Report.
Votes
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 2) (May 8, 2026): 24 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Final Reading as amended in CD 2 with Representative(s) Shimizu voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Muraoka voting no (1) and none excused (0) (May 8, 2026): 50 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Floor amendment adopted as amended CD 2 with none voting no and none excused (May 6, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Representative(s) Perruso, Pierick. (May 1, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Conference Committee Vote (May 1, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick, Shimizu voting no (2) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1) (April 14, 2026): 48 yea, 2 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Housing, DCCA, Penalties, Counties, Prohibition, The Powers Of Artificial Persons
Common questions
- What is SB2471?
- SB2471 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to the Powers of Artificial Persons.
- What does SB2471 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to the powers of artificial persons. parti.
- What is the status of SB2471?
- Signed into law as of May 14, 2026. Latest action: Act 011, on 05/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1111). (May 14, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB2471?
- Karl Rhoads (D, 13), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB2471?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2471&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.