STAND. COM. REP. NO.  839

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   H.B. No. 370

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 370 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure to repeal the requirement that a promoter confirm that an ambulance with paramedics will be present at a mixed martial arts event.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that some mixed martial arts promoters, particularly those on the neighbor islands, cannot comply with the ambulance requirement due to some counties not having private ambulances and prohibitions on private entities from hiring county ambulances.  In addition, the only private ambulance company on Oahu, American Medical Response, will not transport an injured contestant to a hospital.  Your Committee further finds that removing the requirement that an ambulance and paramedics be present a mixed martial arts event will not significantly reduce the safety of contestants in light of the current requirement that two licensed physicians be present at every event.

     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. 370 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair