STAND. COM. REP. NO. 533-06

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2006

RE: H.B. No. 3223

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Tourism & Culture, to which was referred H.B. No. 3223 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MIXED MARTIAL ARTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to protect the health and safety of contestants involved in physically demanding and potentially dangerous contests by, among other things:

(1) Prohibiting no rules combat, extreme or ultimate fighting, or similar contests (No Rules Combat);

(2) Repealing existing laws regulating No Rules Combat; and

(3) Expanding the jurisdiction of the existing State Boxing Commission of Hawaii (Boxing Commission) by:

(A) Including mixed martial arts contests under its jurisdiction; and

(B) Renaming the Boxing Commission as the State Athletic Commission of Hawaii.

Several concerned individuals opposed this bill. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Boxing Commission, and a concerned individual submitted comments.

Your Committee remains very concerned about the popularity and growth of No Rules Combat in Hawaii. However, your Committee notes that concerns were raised regarding the specific provisions contained in this measure, including the changes made to the existing Boxing Commission.

In light of these concerns, your Committee has amended this measure by deleting its contents and inserting provisions that establish a separate Mixed Martial Arts Commission of Hawaii (Commission) to regulate mixed martial arts contests. In addition, this bill, among other things:

(1) Redefines No Rules Combat to further distinguish it from "mixed martial arts" and prohibits this No Rules Combat;

(2) Repeals existing law regulating No Rules Combat;

(3) Establishes the duties, powers, and jurisdiction of the Commission;

(4) Establishes specific requirements for mixed martial arts contests;

(5) Establishes penalties, violations, licensing requirements, and license fees for participants in mixed martial arts contests;

(6) Requires promoters to pay certain fees from gross sales and gross receipts derived from mixed martial arts contests;

(7) Appropriates funds for operational and administrative expenses of the Commission; and

(8) Contains an effective date of July 1, 2007, for all provisions in the bill, including items (1) and (2), except for:

(A) The sections relating to the establishment of the Commission and certain powers and duties of the Commission, which take effect upon approval; and

(B) The appropriation in item (7), which takes effect on July 1, 2006.

 

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism & Culture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 3223, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 3223, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Tourism & Culture,

 

____________________________

JERRY L. CHANG, Chair