STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1498

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 148

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 148, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to replace the existing Mixed Martial Arts Program with a new regulatory framework by incorporating combat sports under the existing State Boxing Commission of Hawaii, and renaming the Commission as the Combat Sports Commission of Hawaii.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Big Dog Fight Club; and seven individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committees find that mixed martial arts allow for the use of striking and grappling techniques; standing and on-the-ground combat; and blend boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo, and other combat styles. Your Committees further find that a regulatory commission with experience in combat sports may further promote the State's ability to attract major combat sports events. This measure seeks to allow for the growth of mixed martial arts in the State through a regulatory commission.

Your Committees note that the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs would need time to prepare for the implementation of the new regulatory framework and the adjusted purview of the Commission. To accomplish this goal, it is intended that the final effective date of this measure should be July 1, 2026.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Amending the name of the Combat Sports Commission of Hawaii to the Boxing and Combat Sports Commission of Hawaii to accurately reflect that the Commission's purview encompasses the regulation of both boxing and combat sports;

(2) Deleting language relating to small combat sports contests, thereby ensuring that this measure now requires:

(A) An ambulance with paramedics to be present at all combat sports contests; and

(B) Two physicians to be present at every combat sports contest;

(3) Specifying that physicians, rather than licensed health care providers, must examine combat sports contestants one hour before the contestant enters the ring and make examinations of contestants who were knocked down or sustained a severe beating about the head;

(4) Changing the effective date for all provisions except the appropriation to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 148, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it be referred to your Committee on Finance, in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 148, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair

____________________________ SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair