An Act To Allow Mixed Martial Arts Competitions in Maine

Sec. 1. 8 MRSA c. 20  is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 20

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

§ 511.  Mixed martial arts

A mixed martial arts match, competition or exhibition that is licensed may be held or conducted within this State in accordance with this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter. The Commissioner of Public Safety shall adopt routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A to implement this chapter.

For the purposes of this section, "mixed martial arts" means a no-holds-barred, full-contact combat sport that includes a mixture of boxing, wrestling and martial arts traditions, including striking and grappling techniques.

§ 512.  Fees; prosecutions

A municipality may grant a license for a mixed martial arts match, competition or exhibition under section 511 upon receiving a sum that the municipality determines proper, 24 hours or more being allowed for the match, competition or exhibition as the municipality may determine. The municipality shall prosecute, by complaint for the use of the municipality, all violations of this chapter.

A mixed martial arts match, competition or exhibition may not operate in this State without first paying a license fee for each calendar year. Application for the license must be made to the Commissioner of Public Safety and must contain the name of the person holding or conducting the mixed martial arts matches, competitions and exhibitions and the names of the cities and towns in which the mixed martial arts matches, competitions and exhibitions are to be held or conducted.

The Commissioner of Public Safety shall establish by rule the fee for a mixed martial arts match, competition or exhibition license.

The exhibiting of any mixed martial arts match, competition or exhibition contrary to this section is a civil violation, and the person, manager or officer in charge of the mixed martial arts match, competition or exhibition within the State is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000. The District Court in the county where a mixed martial arts match, competition or exhibition is held has jurisdiction over the violation.

Sec. 2. 17-A MRSA §515, sub-§2,  as enacted by PL 1975, c. 499, §1, is amended to read:

summary

This bill allows mixed martial arts matches, competitions and exhibitions to be held in Maine.