SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5464

BYSenators von Reichbauer, Moore, Johnson, Gaspard and McCaslin

Changing provisions relating to boxing and wrestling.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 9, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Pullen, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Desley Brooks (786-7443); Sam Thompson (786-7754)

                  April 6, 1989

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 27, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The State Boxing Commission is a regulatory agency composed of three gubernatorial appointees.  It controls and supervises all 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.  The objective of the commission is to enforce licensure requirements.

SUMMARY:

Major Substantive Changes:  The name of the commission is changed to the State Athletic Commission.

A boxing promoter is required to file a bond in the sum of $10,000 with the commission conditioned upon faithful performance by the licensee of the provisions of the law, the payment of the taxes, the performance under all contracts, and the observance of all rules and regulations of the commission.  Promoters are required to obtain medical insurance to cover injuries incurred by participants in an event.

Within seven days prior to a boxing contest or match, a promoter must file with the commission a statement setting forth the name of each licensee and his or her manager and such other information as the commission may require.  Changes in the participants in a wrestling exhibition 24 hours prior to the exhibition may be allowed after notice to the commission if the new participant holds a valid license.  The commission may stop any event in a wrestling exhibition if any participant is not licensed.

A contestant for a boxing match must be examined by a physician appointed by the commission eight hours prior to the contest.  The commission may have a participant in a wrestling exhibition or show examined by a physician appointed by the commission prior to the exhibition or show.  If the participant's condition is not approved by the examining physician, he or she will not be permitted to participate in the exhibition or show.

The referee for a wrestling exhibition or show must be provided by the promoter and licensed by the commission.  The prohibition against fake boxing contests does not apply to wrestling but any licensee who violates any rule or regulation of the commission is subject to existing penalties.  The requirement that a commission inspector be present at a wrestling exhibition or show is changed so that the commission is not required to have an inspector present at a wrestling exhibition but may do so.

Other Changes:  The promoter of a wrestling exhibition or boxing contest must have an ambulance or paramedic unit present at the arena in case serious injury occurs unless one is located within five miles of the arena and that particular unit is on call for the event.

It is unlawful for a promoter to destroy any ticket stubs whether sold or unsold within three months after the date of any exhibition or show.  The number of complimentary tickets to a boxing contest or wrestling exhibition is limited to 2 percent of the total tickets sold per event location and all complimentary tickets exceeding this amount are subject to taxation.

If a participant in a wrestling exhibition or show strikes any person that is not a licensed participant, it shall constitute grounds for suspension and/or revocation of the participant's license.

Participants and promoters are added to those who, if conducting or participating in a boxing contest or wrestling exhibition without first obtaining a license, are in violation of RCW 68.08 and are guilty of a misdemeanor.

The per diem compensation for members of the commission is changed from $50 per day to $100 per day.

Technical Changes:  Terms such as "commission" and "promoter" are defined. "Wrestling exhibition" or "wrestling show" is defined as a form of sports entertainment in which the participants display their skills in a struggle against each other in the ring and either the outcome may be predetermined or the participants don't necessarily strive to win, or both.  "Boxing" is defined as including, but not being limited to, sumo, judo, and karate in addition to fisticuffs, but does not include professional wrestling.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 26, 1989

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

Senate Committee - Testified: Don Brazier, World Wrestling Federation (pro); John Ryan, Assistant Attorney General for the Boxing Commission (pro); Stan Naccarato, Commissioner, Boxing Commission (pro)

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

"Professional" is added to the commission's new title.  Daily compensation for commission members remains at $50, rather than increasing to $100.