STAND. COM. REP. NO.  683

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1866

      H.D. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1866, H.D. 1, 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 participants of mixed martial arts contests by:

     (1)  Establishing a commission to regulate mixed martial arts contests; and

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

     The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs testified in opposition to this bill.  A concerned individual submitted comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by, among other things:

     (1)  In lieu of a commission, giving the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (Director) authority to regulate mixed martial arts contests;

     (2)  Requiring contestants, as a condition of licensing, to authorize the Hawaii Criminal Data Justice Center to release a criminal history record check on the contestant to the Director;

     (3)  Prohibiting mixed martial arts contests unless a permit is issued by the Director;

     (4)  Requiring promoters to maintain sanitary conditions at contests and comply with municipal fire codes;

     (5)  Prohibiting the use of stimulants or banned substances before or during a contest;

     (6)  Requiring each contestant to provide the Director with a report of a medical examination completed no more than six months prior to the contest, at the promoter's sole expense, including the results of HIV and hepatitis testing, along with fight records to demonstrate their fitness to compete; and

     (7)  Defining "amateur mixed martial arts contests".

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1866, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1866, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair