STAND. COM. REP. NO.  181

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1866

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Tourism & Culture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1866 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 engaged in mixed martial arts contests and to provide comprehensive oversight of mixed martial arts contests by:

 

     (1)  Establishing the Mixed Martial Arts Commission of Hawaii to regulate mixed martial arts contests; and

 

     (2)  Prohibiting no rules combat, extreme or ultimate fighting, and other similar contests.

 

     Several concerned individuals supported this bill.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs opposed this measure. 

 

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

 

     (1)  Clarifying that promoters may apply for an annual license that is required to conduct, hold, or give mixed martial arts contests;

 

     (2)  Changing the amounts of the fees required of licensed promoters to unspecified amounts to promote further discussion;

 

     (3)  Removing timekeepers, judges, and seconds from the licensing requirements;

 

     (4)  Changing its effective date to January 1, 2025, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (5)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for style, clarity, and consistency.

 

 

     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. 1866, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1866, 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,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair