SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5502

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions, February 27, 2001

Title:  An act relating to boxing official licensing.

Brief Description:  Modifying boxing officials' licensing requirements.

Sponsors:  Senator Prentice.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions:  2/27/01 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5502 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Benton, Fairley, Franklin, Honeyford, Patterson, Rasmussen, Regala, West and Winsley.

Staff:  Elizabeth Mitchell (786‑7430)

Background:  In order to be a licensed official at a boxing, kickboxing or martial arts event, a person must apply to the Department of Licensing.  There is concern that current licensing standards do not require adequate training for officials.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Applicants for the positions of judge, referee, inspector, timekeeper, or other positions deemed necessary by the department must provide annual proof of certification to the department.  Organizations that may provide certification are specified, including the International Boxing Federation and the World Boxing Association.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  It is explicitly stated that only officials for the sports of boxing, kickboxing and martial arts need to provide annual certification to the department.  The united full contact federation may provide certification for kickboxing and martial arts officials.  Other officials deemed necessary to be certified by the department do not have to be determined by rule.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Officials need to be qualified to ensure the health of contestants participating in events.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Barry Druxman, Larry Abbott, Washington State Professional Boxing Officials.