Brief Description: Making certain types of extreme fighting illegal.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Commerce & Trade (originally sponsored by Senators Zarelli, Keiser, Rasmussen, Regala, Franklin, Kline, Deccio, Jacobsen and Fairley).

Hearing Date: 2/18/04

Staff: Susan Kavanaugh (786-7106).

Background:

Those who promote or conduct boxing, martial arts, or wrestling matches must be licensed by the Department of Licensing (Department). The Department is directed to supervise and control such matches to protect the health and safety of the participants. However, contests that are "entirely amateur events promoted on a non-profit basis," as well as those that are sponsored by an educational institution, are exempt from licensure by the Department. "Amateur" is defined in statute as "a person who engages in athletic activities as a pastime and not as a professional."

Summary of Bill:

An "amateur" is defined as someone who has never received or competed for anything worth more than $50, including prizes, training expenses or fees for participating in an event. It is required that amateur events include only amateurs and be registered and sanctioned by one of several listed amateur sporting organizations, or a similar organization recognized by the Department.

"No holds barred fighting" is prohibited. This type of fighting is defined as an event in which any part of the contestant's body may be used as a weapon or any means of fighting may be used with the intent of injuring the opponent to the extent that the opponent cannot defend him or herself. Likewise banned is "combative fighting," in which contestants are not required to be trained and fight with fists, feet, or both. Elimination tournaments, except those that are amateur or school sponsored, are also prohibited. Promotion of such fights is made a class C felony.

The definitions of boxing, kickboxing and martial arts are all tightened to exclude events in which a contestant aims to injure or disable an opponent. Martial arts is also defined to exclude events in which weapons are used.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on the substitute bill on February 16, 2004.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.