HI SB311

Proposes amending Article I, Section 4 of the Hawaii State Constitution to explicitly state that freedom of speech does not include the expenditure of money to influence elections

Responds to U.S. Supreme Court decisions in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) and Buckley v. Valeo (1976) that protected corporate and monetary spending on elections as free speech

Would place a ballot question asking voters whether to amend the state constitution to exclude monetary expenditures to influence elections from free speech protections

Acknowledges the amendment would have no practical effect while Citizens United and Buckley remain binding federal law, but positions Hawaii to enforce restrictions if those decisions are overturned

Effective date set for July 1, 3000, contingent upon compliance with the state constitution's amendment ratification process