SENATE BILL REPORT

ESSB 5364

BYSenate Committee on Governmental Operations (originally sponsored by Senators Gaspard, von Reichbauer and Johnson)

Redesignating the state boxing commission as the state athletic commission and revising its powers and duties.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 9, 1987; February 11, 1987; January 25, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Zimmerman, Vice Chairman; Halsan, Metcalf, Pullen.

Senate Staff:Sam Thompson (786-7754); Barbara Howard (786-7410)

                  February 12, 1988

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 11, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The State Boxing Commission is a regulatory agency comprised of three gubernatorial appointees.  It controls and supervises professional boxing, wrestling, karate, sumo and judo events occurring in the state.  It also regulates live, closed circuit telecasts of these events viewed in the state, and enforces licensure requirements.  It does not have the authority to impose fines for violations of regulatory statutes or administrative rules.

Professional boxers must have a license issued by the Commission to participate in boxing matches in Washington.  Applicants for boxing licenses are required to submit to a medical examination by a Commission-appointed physician when they apply for a license, and an examination must be conducted within eight hours prior to a bout.  It is suggested that some professional boxers who have had long careers and/or have suffered knockouts in bouts have sustained brain damage, and that this infirmity is not always revealed in a medical examination when they apply for a boxing license in this state.

It has also been suggested that the name of the Boxing Commission be changed to a more general term encompassing the other activities that it regulates.

SUMMARY:

The name of the State Boxing Commission is changed to the State Athletic Commission.

The Commission may impose a fine of up to $10,000 for any wilful violation of the boxing and wrestling RCW chapter, or any wilful violation of administrative rules adopted by the Commission.  Each day of a continuing violation is deemed a separate violation.

Applicants for boxing licenses must submit to an independent medical examination with an emphasis on the applicant's neurological condition.  Applicants must also submit a sworn report on their amateur and professional bout records to the Commission, and a sworn report regarding the outcome of their most recent bout prior to applying for licensure in Washington.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    yes

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Stan Naccarato, State Boxing Commission (for); Tom Owens, Titan Industries