SB 1679
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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
Second Regular Session
Senate: TTMC DP 6-1-0-0 | 3
rd
Read 29-0-1-0
House: TI DPA/SE 10-0-0-1
SB 1679: defensive driving schools; fees.
S/E: mixed martial arts; boxing; gaming
Sponsor: Senator Gowan, LD 19
Caucus & COW
Summary of the Strike-Everything Amendment to SB 1679
Overview
Makes various changes to boxing and sparring statutes.
History
The Arizona State Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commission (Commission) is responsible
for: 1) managing licensure for all referees, judges, matchmakers, promoters, trainers, ring
announcers, timekeepers, ringside physicians, inspectors, MMA contestants, boxers,
managers and seconds; 2) requiring medical examination and insurance coverage; 3)
overseeing all contests; 4) ensuring payment to participants; and 5) conducting investigations
and taking disciplinary action (Title 5, Chapter 2, A.R.S.).
Provisions
1. Allows the Commission to use mixed martial arts rules adopted by a boxing commission
or any alternative rules of mixed martial arts approved by another jurisdiction within the
U.S. (Sec. 6)
2. Removes the requirement for the Commission to use mixed martial arts rules adopted by
the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board. (Sec. 6)
3. Removes the requirement that weigh-ins be limited to one hour. (Sec. 6)
4. Requires a referee licensee applicant, prior to license issuance, to submit to the
Commission:
a) the results of a current medical exam performed by a physician licensed in the United
States;
b) the results of an ophthalmological exam; and
c) any other exam or testing ordered by the Commission. (Sec. 7)
5. Requires a combatant license applicant, prior to license issuance, to submit to the
Commission:
a) the results of a current medical examination performed by any physician licensed in
the United States, rather than an Arizona-licensed medical or osteopathic physician;
and
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note SB 1679
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b) for combatants who are at least 38 years old, rather than 36 years old, the results of
a stress test administered by any physician licensed in the United States, rather than
an Arizona-licensed medical or osteopathic physician. (Sec. 7)
6. Removes language relating to the deadline to complete medical examinations and tests.
(Sec. 7)
7. Clarifies that a license expires at midnight 365 days after the date of issuance. (Sec. 8)
8. Specifies the results of all combatant medical examinations expire 365 days after the date
the exam is performed. (Sec. 8)
9. Allows the Commission to grant a grace period of up to 15 days to align with the licensing
period. (Sec. 8)
10. Asserts the required insurance coverage for a combatant is the primary insurance and
must be exhausted before a combatant uses any other form of insurance. (Sec. 10)
11. Adds that the promoter must request the attendance of a peace officer at a contest. (Sec.
11)
12. Allows the Commission to grant the promoter permission to use private security services
if a peace officer is unable to attend the contest. (Sec. 11)
13. Increases, from a class 2 misdemeanor to a class 1 misdemeanor, the penalty for
conducting, holding, sponsoring, sanctioning or giving any contest that is subject to
regulation by the Commission without first procuring an appropriate license or approval.
(Sec. 13)
14. Allows the matchmaker, in addition to protest a referee assignment, to request a referee
reassignment. (Sec. 14)
15. Requires the Commission to make a reasonable effort to grant the request for referee
reassignment. (Sec. 14)
16. Removes the requirement for the Commission to furnish a list of all licensed referees and
the right for a protesting matchmaker to select another referee from such list. (Sec. 14)
17. Defines combatant and replaces various terms with combatant as appropriate. (Sec. 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 15)
18. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1-15)
Amendments
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
1. Adopted the strike-everything amendment.