Regulation of unarmed combat sports and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

What it does

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

Current law contains numerous provisions regulating professional boxing and amateur and professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighting contests and exhibitions. These provisions require licensure of promoters and clubs where contests and exhibitions are held; permits for boxing and MMA fighting contests; and licenses for matchmakers, managers, referees, boxers, mixed martial arts fighters, and seconds. They also contain other requirements that apply specifically to either boxing or MMA contests or exhibitions. With respect to MMA fighting contests, the requirements of the law include 1) that contestants be covered by adequate health insurance; 2) that licensed referees and judges be present at MMA contests; and 3) that a physician be present at each match and that emergency medical services personnel be present. These provisions regulating professional boxing and amateur and professional MMA fighting contests and exhibitions are enforced and administered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), which has promulgated more detailed rules to implement them.

This bill generally substitutes "unarmed combat sports" for "mixed martial arts fighting" in these provisions, thereby subjecting any form of fighting that falls within the bill's definition of "unarmed combat sports" to the same laws that currently apply to amateur and professional MMA fighting. The bill defines "unarmed combat sports" as any form of fighting in which the objective is for a contestant to injure, disable, or incapacitate one's opponent, excluding any fighting in a contest for which the rules prohibit a contestant from striking an opponent's head.

Who's behind it

4 senators are its authors⁠. 3 are Democrats and 1 is a Republican.

12 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From DSPS

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

• Amendment Histories
• LC Amendment Memo