Changes in the regulation of boxing contests, regulating mixed martial arts fighting contests, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty

Also under current law, an amateur boxing contest (defined as a contest in which none of the contestants are compensated for participating) may be conducted in this state only if the contest is sanctioned by, and conducted under the rules of, the national governing body for amateur boxing.

This bill generally authorizes the department to regulate amateur and professional mixed martial arts fighting contests on the same terms as professional boxing contests, and to license promoters of boxing and mixed martial arts fighting contests on the same terms as clubs. The bill deletes the requirements that applicants for licensure be incorporated under the laws of this state and comprise only members who are residents of this state. The bill changes the license application fee to $200, or $500 in a city of more than 150,000 inhabitants, and changes the penalty for sham or fake contests to a forfeiture not to exceed $500. Fifty percent of forfeitures collected by the department are appropriated to the department for enforcement.

The bill also imposes a number of requirements on mixed martial arts fighting contests, including the following: A contestant in an amateur mixed martial arts fighting contest must be able to provide evidence that he or she is covered by adequate health insurance. No mixed martial arts fighting contest may be conducted without at least one licensed referee and at least four licensed judges. Contestants must be examined by a physician immediately before and after each match, and a physician and ambulance must be present during each match. The bill requires the department to promulgate rules for mixed martial arts fighting contests establishing: 1) qualifications for licensure of referees and judges; 2) requirements for regular health examinations for contestants; and 3) policies prohibiting the use of drugs and mandating drug testing of contestants.