STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1128

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1027

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1027, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMBAT SPORTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide for the regulation of combat sports contests within the State.

More specifically, the measure:

(1) Establishes the Combat Sports Commission of Hawaii within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and gives the Commission sole jurisdiction and control over all combat sports contests held within the State;

(2) Requires the Commission to adopt administrative rules pursuant to Chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

(3) Defines "combat sports" as unarmed combat involving the use of a combination of techniques from different martial arts disciplines, including grappling, kicking, and striking, subject to certain limits;

(4) Prohibits no-rules combat or similar contests; and

(5) Appropriates unspecified funds to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs for an unspecified number of staff positions for the Commission.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Councilmember representing Honolulu City Council District 9, and four individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii residents have embraced full-contact combat sports, as evidenced by the capacity crowds attending these events at large venues, and that a combat sports commission should be established to encourage the continued growth of this industry and attract high profile sporting events.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1027, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair