HP0656, LD 889, item 1, An Act To Regulate Boxing and Prizefighting in Maine

An Act To Regulate Boxing and Prizefighting in Maine

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-G, sub-§4-D, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 352, §1, is amended to read:

4-D.

Amusements and Sports

Mixed Martial Arts Combat Sports Authority of Maine

Legislative Per Diem and Expenses only Only

8 MRSA c. 20

Sec. 2. 8 MRSA §521, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 352, §2, is amended to read:

1. Authority. "Authority" means the Mixed Martial Arts Combat Sports Authority of Maine created under section 522.

Sec. 3. 8 MRSA §521, sub-§3-A is enacted to read:

3-A. Boxing. "Boxing" means a combative sport for compensation that features the use of gloved fists in attack and defense.

Sec. 4. 8 MRSA §522, as amended by PL 2009, c. 582, §1, is further amended to read:

§ 522. Combat Sports Authority of Maine

1. Establishment. The Mixed Martial Arts Combat Sports Authority of Maine, as established in Title 5, section 12004-G, subsection 4-D, is a body corporate and politic and a public instrumentality of the State. The exercise by the authority of the powers conferred by this chapter constitutes the performance of essential governmental functions.

2. Purpose. The authority is established to regulate and promote mixed martial arts and boxing competitions, exhibitions and events in the State as set forth in this chapter. A mixed martial arts or boxing competition, exhibition or event may not be held in the State prior to the adoption of rules pursuant to this chapter.

3. Board of directors. The authority is governed and its powers exercised by a board of directors. The board consists of 5 7 voting members appointed by the Governor. Immediately after their appointments, the members of the authority shall assume their duties. All board members serve as agents of the authority for purposes of service of process.

4. Officers. The board shall elect a chair, a secretary and a treasurer from among its members.

5. Terms; vacancy. Members of the authority are appointed to 3-year terms. A vacancy in the authority does not impair the right of a quorum of the members to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the authority. In the event of vacancy occurring in the membership, the Governor shall appoint a replacement member for the remainder of that term. Each member of the authority serves until that member's successor is appointed and qualified. A member of the authority is eligible for reappointment.

6. Bylaws and business plan . The board shall adopt bylaws for the governance of the authority and the conduct of its affairs and may amend and revoke the bylaws as necessary. The board shall adopt a business plan setting forth goals, desired outcomes and performance expectations for the authority and shall update the business plan on an annual basis.

7. Revenue and expenditures. The board may receive revenue from mixed martial arts and boxing competitions, exhibitions and events, as well as from the sale of goods and merchandise, in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to sections 523 and 524. The authority may apply for, solicit and receive grants, donations and gifts and may receive appropriations from the State and funds from other governmental authorities. All funds received must be spent solely to assist with operational expenses in furtherance of the purpose of the authority. The board may enter into contracts to obtain the assistance of staff sufficient to support operations of the board.

8. Annual report. By March 15th of each year, beginning in 2010, the authority shall provide an annual report on its activities to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over business, research and economic development matters. The report must include an evaluation of the authority's success in meeting the goals, outcomes and performance expectations contained in its business plan, as well as a summary of the revenue and expenditures of the authority pursuant to subsection 7 and section 525.

Sec. 5. 8 MRSA §523, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2009, c. 582, §2 and affected by §9, is further amended to read:

1. Rules. Adopt rules to protect the health and safety of authorized participants and the integrity of competition, as well as to establish a certification process authorizing participation in a mixed martial arts or boxing competition, exhibition or event and set the fee schedules for all authorized participants. A certificate authorizing participation in a mixed martial arts or boxing competition, exhibition or event may be issued for one year or such other time period as may be fixed by rule under this chapter. The board may establish requirements to ensure that a mixed martial arts or boxing competition, exhibition or event is not conducted unless a promoter's fee has been paid and that each competitor has been examined by a physician who has certified the competitor's fitness to participate in the mixed martial arts or boxing competition, exhibition or event. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules, as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. The authority's rules must include, but are not limited to, the following:

A. Rules of competition, weighing of participants and scoring of decisions;

B. Length of contests and rounds;

C. Availability of medical services, including a requirement that a physician be present during a mixed martial arts or boxing competition, exhibition or event;

D. Age limits, which must include a minimum age of not less than 18 years;

E. Weight limits and classification of participants;

F. Physical condition of participants;

G. Qualifications of referees and other authorized participants;

H. Uniforms, attire, safety gear and equipment of authorized participants;

I. Specifications of facilities and equipment; and

J. Requirements for health and accident insurance providing coverage in the event of injury or death to authorized participants. This coverage must comply with standards prescribed by the Superintendent of Insurance.

Sec. 6. 8 MRSA §524, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 352, §2, is amended to read:

§ 524. Promotion fees

In addition to the requirements set by rule pursuant to section 523, a promoter of a mixed martial arts or boxing competition, exhibition or event authorized under this chapter must pay a fee set by the authority in advance of the mixed martial arts or boxing competition, exhibition or event. A promoter who fails to pay the fee required pursuant to this section is prohibited from promoting the competition as well as any further competitions, exhibitions or events held under this chapter until the fee and any penalties are paid in full or satisfactory arrangements are made with the authority.

Sec. 7. 8 MRSA §525, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 352, §2, is amended to read:

§ 525. Fund established; excess revenue to be deposited into General Fund

The authority shall establish and maintain a reserve fund called the " Mixed Martial Arts Combat Sports Reserve Fund" and shall deposit in the fund all money received pursuant to section 522, as well as any other money or funds from any other sources. At the close of each fiscal year, the State Controller shall transfer from the fund any revenue in excess of operating expenses to the General Fund.

Sec. 8. 8 MRSA §526, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 352, §2, is amended to read:

§ 526. Prohibited interests of officers, directors and employees

A director of the authority or a spouse, domestic partner or dependent child of a director of the authority may not receive any direct personal benefit from the activities or undertakings of the authority. This section does not prohibit corporations or other entities with which a director is associated by reason of ownership or employment from participating in mixed martial arts or boxing activities if ownership or employment is made known to the authority and the director abstains from voting on matters relating to that participation.

Sec. 9. 8 MRSA §529, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 582, §4, is amended to read:

§ 529. Powers of board

1. Inspections and investigations. The board may enter and inspect the premises where a mixed martial arts or boxing competition, exhibition or event is to be conducted and question persons present and review documents to the extent it considers necessary to determine whether the event is in accordance with this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter.

2. Other action. The board may take all reasonable steps to ensure that a mixed martial arts or boxing competition, exhibition or event is conducted in accordance with this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter and take all other lawful action necessary and incidental to its purposes.

Sec. 10. 8 MRSA §532, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 582, §7, is amended to read:

§ 532. Fines; enforcement

The board may, after a hearing under Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 4, impose a fine of not more than $500 for each violation against a person who violates this chapter or rules adopted pursuant to this chapter or who participates in a mixed martial arts or boxing competition, exhibition or event without the certificate described under section 523, subsection 1. The Attorney General may bring an action in Superior Court to enjoin a mixed martial arts competition, exhibition or event from occurring for which the promoter's fee has not been paid or a participant who does not meet the qualifications of this chapter from participating in the competition, exhibition or event.

Sec. 11. 17-A MRSA §515, sub-§2, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1975, c. 499, §1, is repealed.

Sec. 12. 17-A MRSA §515, sub-§2-A, as amended by PL 2009, c. 582, §8, is further amended to read:

2-A. This section does not apply to any mixed martial arts or boxing competition, exhibition or event authorized pursuant to Title 8, chapter 20 as long as rules have been adopted by the Mixed Martial Arts Combat Sports Authority of Maine pursuant to Title 8, chapter 20.

Sec. 13. Staggered terms. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 8, section 522, subsection 5, in making the original appointments to the board of directors of the Combat Sports Authority of Maine after September 1, 2011, the Governor shall appoint members to terms of less than 3 years in order to stagger the terms. A successor's term is 3 years from the date of the expiration of the original term, regardless of the date of appointment.

Sec. 14. Maine Revised Statutes headnote amended; revision clause. In the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 8, chapter 20, in the chapter headnote, the words "mixed martial arts" are amended to read "mixed martial arts and boxing" and the Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or republishing the statutes.

summary

This bill amends the law that creates the Mixed Martial Arts Authority of Maine to include boxing and renames the authority the Combat Sports Authority of Maine.

HP0656 LD 889	First Regular Session - 125th Maine Legislature		LR 146 Item 1
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