STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1494

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 171

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 171 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE AUDITOR STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF REMOVING AMATEUR BOXING FROM THE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE BOXING COMMISSION OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request that the Auditor study the feasibility of removing amateur boxing from the jurisdiction of the State Boxing Commission. 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from two private citizens.  Testimony in opposition to this measure was received from the State Boxing Commission and one private citizen.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that serious allegations have been made concerning the State Boxing Commission's alleged disregard for state law, state administrative rules, and the safety of both professional and amateur boxers.  Although it is important to note that no formal proceedings or charges are currently pending against the Commission, because of the severity of the allegations against the Commission and the nature of the Commission's function as a regulatory body charged with providing safeguards to an inherently dangerous activity, an Auditor's investigation of the feasibility and desirability of removing amateur boxing from the Commission's jurisdiction is prudent.  Your Committee notes that amateur boxing is a sport in which many participants are children, teenagers, and young adults.  Your Committee finds that this measure should move forward in the interest of settling the numerous issues that have been raised regarding the oversight of amateur boxing in this State. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 171, and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair