Georgia House Bill HB391

Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/11/25
• Report Pass: 2/26/25

Caption

Professions and businesses; certain boxing, wrestling, and martial art associations and federations; change certain provisions

Impact

The proposed amendments are designed to streamline the applicability of certain regulations and provide a clearer legal framework for amateur matches, contests, or exhibitions. By clearly delineating which organizations are recognized, the bill aims to reduce ambiguity in existing laws that could impact how amateur activities are regulated within the state. This has the further implication of encouraging more participation in amateur sports by providing a stable regulatory environment for organizers and competitors alike.

Summary

House Bill 391 seeks to amend Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, specifically targeting regulations surrounding boxing, wrestling, and various martial arts competitions. The intent of the bill is to clarify and revise definitions related to amateur participants in these sports, ensuring that competitors are explicitly defined as individuals receiving no compensation for their participation. This revision is crucial for maintaining the status and integrity of amateur sports under the specified governing bodies, including organizations like U.S.A. Boxing and the Georgia High School Athletic Association.

Contention

While the summary does not provide details on dissenting opinions or significant points of contention during discussions about HB391, the potential modifications to existing laws could elicit varied responses from stakeholders in the combat sports community. Areas of concern might revolve around how the redefined classifications impact local organizations and the overarching authority of recognized bodies in regulating amateur competitions, particularly if the bill leads to unintended consequences for local regulations or community events.