SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5787

               AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 16, 1993

Brief Description:  Regulating professional athletics.

SPONSORS: Senators Gaspard, von Reichbauer and Franklin; by request of Professional Athletic Commission

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Moore, Chairman; Prentice, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Barr, Cantu, Fraser, McAuliffe, Newhouse, Pelz, Prince, Sutherland, Vognild, and Wojahn.

Staff:  Erika Lim (786‑7488)

Hearing Dates: March 2, 1993; March 3, 1993

BACKGROUND:

Professional boxing, wrestling, and sparring are regulated by the Professional Athletic Commission.  The commission grants annual licenses to conduct professional boxing, wrestling, and sparring matches and exhibitions, including closed circuit simulcasts. 

The commission may grant licenses to promoters, managers, referees, boxers, wrestlers, and seconds upon application in compliance with its rules and regulations and payment of fees.  Boxing promoters who receive licenses must post a $10,000 bond.  Wrestling exhibition promoters who receive licenses must post a $1,000 bond in cities with populations under 150,000 and a $2,500 bond in cities with populations over 150,000.

The penalty for violating any rule or regulation or for participating in a sham boxing match is license suspension.  A license holder who is convicted under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act shall have his or her license revoked.

SUMMARY:

The definition of boxing is expanded to include kickboxing and martial arts.  Martial arts include, but are not limited to, sumo, judo, and karate.

Fees are established for boxing promoters and wrestling promoters.  The application process and fee for a closed circuit telecast promoter license is established.  In lieu of posting separate bonds in different cities, a wrestling exhibition promoter who receives a license may choose to post a single $10,000 bond.

The penalty for violating any rule or regulation or for participating in a sham boxing match may include a fine instead of or in addition to license suspension.  A license holder who tests positive for a controlled substance will have his or her license revoked.  An applicant who tests positive for a controlled substance will have his or her application denied.

There is a severability clause in case any provision of the act is held invalid.  Grammatical changes are made for gender neutrality.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

Effective Date:   July 1, 1993

TESTIMONY FOR:

The commission will be able to better regulate boxing and wrestling.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Dale Ashley, Professional Athletics Commission (pro)