RELATING TO COMBAT SPORTS.

SB148

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

148

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO COMBAT SPORTS
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

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SECTION 1.
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The
legislature finds that Hawaii has embraced full-contact combat sports that
allow the use of both striking and grappling techniques; involve both standing
and on-the-ground; and blend boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai,
kickboxing, karate, judo, and other styles.
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Combat sports events have drawn capacity crowds to the Neal S. Blaisdell
Arena.
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The prestigious Ultimate Fighting
Championship organization has never staged a show in Hawaii, but the idea has
been floated many times.
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The legislature
finds that to continue growing the combat sports industry in the State and to
attract events like those staged by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, a
combat sports commission must be established.

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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
replace the existing mixed martial arts program with a new regulatory framework
under the authority of a combat sports commission of Hawaii.

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SECTION 2.
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The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be
appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"
Chapter

COMBAT SPORTS contestS

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� -1
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Definitions.
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As used in this chapter:

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"Combat sports" means unarmed
combat involving the use of a combination of techniques from different
disciplines of martial arts, including grappling, kicking, and striking,
subject to any applicable limits set forth in this chapter and any rules
adopted to implement these limits.

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"Combat sports contest" means a
contest or exhibition in which a combat sports contestant competes with another
combat sports contestant, using combat sports, for money, prize, purse, or
other forms of compensation.

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"Combat sports contestant" or
"contestant" means a person who is trained in combat sports and
competes in a combat sports contest.

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"Commission" means the combat
sports commission of Hawaii established in section -2.

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"Department" means the department
of commerce and consumer affairs.

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"Director" means the director of
commerce and consumer affairs.

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"Executive officer" means the
executive officer assigned to the commission.

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"Manager" means any person who:

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(1)
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Undertakes
or has undertaken to represent in any way the interests of any combat sports
contestant in procuring, arranging, or conducting any combat sports contest in
which the combat sports contestant is to participate; or

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(2)
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Directs
or controls the combat sports activities of the combat sports contestant.

"Manager"
does not include an attorney licensed to practice in the State while the
attorney is representing the legal interests of a combat sports contestant as a
client.

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"No rules combat or similar
contest" means a contest or exhibition performed in the State in which the
contestants:

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(1)
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Are
permitted to use, with few or no rules or restrictions, a combination of
combative contact techniques, including punches, kicks, chokes, joint locks,
and other maneuvers, with or without the use of weapons, that place contestants
at an unreasonably high risk of bodily injury or death; and

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(2)
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Have
received, directly or indirectly, any money, prize, reward, purse, or other
compensation, or promise thereof, for the expenses of training, taking part in
the contest, or winning the contest.

"No
rules combat or similar contest" does not include a contest involving the
exclusive use of boxing, wrestling, kickboxing, martial arts, or combat sports.

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"Promoter" means an individual,
corporation, joint venture, partnership, limited liability corporation, limited
liability partnership, or any other type of business entity that promotes,
conducts, holds, or gives a combat sports contest.

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� -2
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Commission established.
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There shall be established the combat sports
commission of Hawaii.
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The commission
shall consist of five members appointed by the governor for staggered terms as
determined by the governor, pursuant to section 26-34; provided that at least
one member shall have experience as a combat sports contestant and all members
shall have experience in combat sports contests as a contestant or in the
promotion or administration of combat sports contests.
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The governor shall designate one member as
chairperson of the commission.

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� -3
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Executive officer.
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The director shall assign an executive
officer to the commission to carry out the commission's activities, duties, and
other obligations under this chapter.

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� -4
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Deputy commissioners.
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The director may appoint deputy
commissioners; provided that the director shall have the approval of the
commission before any appointment.
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The
director may remove deputy commissioners after consultation with the
commission.
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The commission may direct
one or more deputy commissioners to be present at any combat sports contest
and, in the absence of the commission or a member thereof, to supervise and
control the combat sports contest, in accordance with this chapter and the rules
adopted by the commission pursuant to this chapter.
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The deputy commissioners shall submit a
written report to the executive officer in the manner and form prescribed by
the commission detailing the conditions prevailing at every combat sports
contest.

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� -5
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Other employees.
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Subject to chapter 76, the department may
employ clerks, inspectors, and other employees as it deems necessary for the
purposes of this chapter.

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� -6
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Authority to subpoena witnesses and
administer oaths and penalties.
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The
chairperson of the commission or the executive officer may issue subpoenas for
the attendance of witnesses before the commission, with the same effect as if
the subpoenas were issued in an action in the circuit court, and may administer
oaths in all matters connected with the administration of the affairs of the
commission.
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Disobedience of a subpoena
and false swearing before the executive officer or the commission shall be attended
by the same consequences and be subject to the same penalties as if
disobedience or false swearing occurred in an action in the circuit court.

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� -7
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Powers and duties of the commission.
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The commission shall adopt rules pursuant to
chapter 91 necessary or expedient for the conduct of its business and the
regulation of the matters in this chapter committed to its charge, including:

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(1)
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An
appropriate method of ensuring that all financial obligations are met by a
promoter who conducts, holds, or gives a combat sports contest;

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(2)
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A
public record accounting for the distribution of all tickets provided to the
commission by a promoter and anything else of value that is provided to the
commission;

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(3)
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Clinics
or seminars on health and safety for licensees deemed necessary by the
commission;

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(4)
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A
mandatory neurological examination for any combat sports contestant who is
knocked out in a combat sports contest, and an eye examination as part of a
combat sports contestant's annual medical examination;

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(5)
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An
automatic medical suspension from combat sports contests for a period of time
to be determined by the commission for any combat sports contestant who is
knocked out from head blows or who has received a severe beating about the
head.
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The period of time of the
automatic medical suspension shall be based upon the severity of the beating
received by the combat sports contestant;

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(6)
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Procedures
to evaluate the professional records and physician's certification of each
combat sports contestant participating in a combat sports contest in the State
and to deny authorization to a combat sports contestant to fight when the
requirements of this paragraph are not met;

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(7)
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Procedures
to ensure that no combat sports contestant shall be permitted to compete while
under suspension from any government entity that regulates combat sports due
to:

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(A)
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A
recent knockout or series of consecutive losses;

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(B)
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An
injury, any required medical procedure, or a physician's denial of
certification to compete;

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(C)
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Failure
of any drug test; or

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(D)
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The
use of false aliases or falsifying or attempting to falsify official
identification cards or documents relating to combat sports contests;

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(8)
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Procedures
to review a suspension if appealed by a combat sports contestant, including an
opportunity for the contestant to present contradictory evidence;

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(9)
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Procedures
to revoke a suspension if a combat sports contestant furnishes proof of
sufficiently improved medical or physical condition or furnishes proof that the
suspension was not, or is no longer, warranted by the facts; and

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(10)
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Establishing
a combat sports registry and the issuance of an identification card to combat
sports contestants.

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� -8
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Jurisdiction of commission.
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(a)
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The commission is vested with the sole jurisdiction, direction,
management, and control over all combat sports contests to be conducted, held,
or given within the State.
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No combat
sports contest shall be conducted, held, or given within the State except in
accordance with this chapter and the rules adopted by the commission pursuant
to this chapter.

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(b)
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No combat sports contest shall take place unless the commission has
approved the proposed combat sports contest.
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In addition, the commission shall not allow any combat sports contest
unless:

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(1)
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The
combat sports contest consists of not more than five rounds of a duration of not
more than five minutes each with an interval of at least one minute between
each round and the succeeding round;

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(2)
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Each
contestant is at least eighteen years of age and is not disqualified from
competing in a similar combat sports contest in another jurisdiction at the
time of the combat sports contest;

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(3)
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One
hour before the combat sports contest, each combat sports contestant is
examined by at least one physician licensed under chapter 453 who shall certify
in writing to the referee of the combat sports contest that the contestant is
physically fit to engage in the combat sports contest;

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(4)
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The
combat sports contest is under the control of a licensed referee in the ring
who has at least one year's experience in refereeing a match or exhibition
involving combat sports and who has passed a physical examination by a
physician licensed under chapter 453, including an eye examination, within two
years before the combat sports contest;

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(5)
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At
least thirty days before a combat sports contest, a promoter of the combat
sports contest provides to the commission information and documents, as
prescribed by the commission, together with a review and enforcement fee of
$500, to establish that the combat sports contest is not prohibited under this
chapter; provided that if the commission determines that the combat sports
contest is prohibited by this chapter, the commission shall refund the $500
review and enforcement fee to the promoter;

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(6)
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The
promoter has complied with sections -9 and ‑10;
and

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(7)
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All
participants have complied with the requirements provided in this chapter and
rules adopted in accordance with chapter 91, including any rules or
requirements that protect the safety of the contestants to the extent feasible.

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(c)
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No person shall hold, promote, or participate in no rules combat or
similar contests.
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The commission shall
enforce the prohibition on no rules combat or similar contests, and may adopt
rules, pursuant to chapter 91, to enforce the prohibition.
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In addition to any applicable judicial
remedy, a person who violates this subsection shall be subject to the
penalties, fines, and other provisions applicable to violators of this chapter.

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� -9
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Licenses; promoters.
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(a)
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A
promoter may apply to the commission for a license that shall be required to
conduct, hold, or give combat sports contests.
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The application shall be in writing, addressed to the commission, and
signed by the applicant, and shall include the following:

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(1)
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Evidence
of financial integrity in accordance with rules adopted by the commission
pursuant to chapter 91; and

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(2)
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Proof
that the applicant has currently satisfied all of the applicable requirements
of the department's business registration division.

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(b)
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The application shall contain a recital of the facts as may be specified
by the commission, for the commission to determine whether the applicant
possesses the necessary physical, mental, moral, and financial qualifications
to entitle the applicant to a license.

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(c)
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The application for a license to promote combat sports contests shall be
accompanied by a fee as provided in rules adopted by the director pursuant to
chapter 91.

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(d)
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The commission shall not issue any license to conduct, hold, or give
combat sports contests unless the commission is satisfied that the applicant:

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(1)
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Has
complied with the conditions of this chapter;

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(2)
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Possesses
the necessary qualifications for a license;

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(3)
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Is
the real party in interest; and

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(4)
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Intends
to conduct, hold, or give the combat sports contest itself.

The
commission shall not issue a promoter's license to an applicant if the
applicant or any of the applicant's officers, partners, members, or associates
have been convicted of any crime related to gambling or a crime that is
directly related to a person's performance in the sport of combat sports.

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(e)
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A license may be revoked at any time if the commission finds after a
hearing that:

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(1)
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The
licensee is not the real party in interest or has not complied with this
chapter or the rules of the commission; or

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(2)
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The
licensee or any of the licensee's officers, partners, members, or associates
have been convicted of any crime related to gambling or a crime that is
directly related to a person's performance in the sport of combat sports.

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(f)
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Every license shall be subject to this chapter and the rules of the
commission.

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� -10
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Requirements to hold a combat sports contest.
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(a)
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For approval to conduct, hold, or give a combat sports contest, a
promoter shall provide proof of medical insurance for combat sports contestants
in accordance with rules adopted by the commission.
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All promoters shall be responsible for paying
any deductible amount of the medical insurance policy.

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(b)
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Before
each combat sports contest, a promoter shall provide a bond, in an amount
determined by the commission, to adequately cover the promoter's obligations in
conducting, holding, or giving a combat sports contest.
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The bond shall be executed by the promoter as
principal and by a surety company authorized to do business in the State as the
surety.
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If the promoter fails to pay any
obligations covered by the bond, any aggrieved person may file an action
against the bond to recover the amount owed, in the circuit court in the
circuit in which the combat sports contest was conducted, held, or given;
provided that the aggregate liability of the surety to all aggrieved persons
shall not exceed the amount of the bond.
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Any action against the bond shall be commenced within ninety days after
the combat sports contest was conducted, held, or given.

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(c)
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Before
any combat sports contest, all contracts with managers, combat sports
contestants, and venues, including any agreement of pre-contest training funds
advanced to any contestant either by the promoter or manager or any party of
interest, shall be submitted by the promoter to the commission for the
commission's review and approval.

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(d)
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Before
any combat sports contest, the promoter shall submit to the commission, for the
commission's review and approval, all ring records of all combat sports
contestants scheduled to participate in the combat sports contest.

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(e)
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A promoter shall provide cashier's or certified checks made payable to
each combat sports contestant for the amount due the contestant or the
contestant's manager, as the case may be, in accordance with the contracts
approved by the commission.

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(f)
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A promoter shall provide to the commission written confirmation that
appropriate security service has been obtained and will be present at all times
at the venue of the combat sports contest and provide evidence that security
personnel and resources will be present in sufficient number and force to
exercise crowd control and to protect spectators at the combat sports contest.

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(g)
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A promoter shall provide to the commission evidence that the combat
sports contest will be conducted in compliance with applicable fire codes.

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(h)
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The promoter shall maintain sanitary conditions at the site of the
combat sports contest.

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(i)
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Failure, refusal, or neglect of any licensed promoter to comply with
this section shall result in the automatic denial to hold the combat sports
contest.

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(j)
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Licensed promoters may engage in promotions with other licensed
promoters as long as each promoter holds a valid, unexpired license and has
received the written approval of the commission before the promotion.

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(k)
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In addition to the payment of other fees and moneys due under this
chapter, a licensed promoter shall pay:

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(1)
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A
license fee of three per cent of the first $50,000 of the total gross receipts
from admission fees to a combat sports contest, exclusive of federal, state,
and local taxes;

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(2)
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A
license fee of two per cent of the total gross receipts over $50,000 from
admission fees to a combat sports contest, exclusive of federal, state, and
local taxes;

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(3)
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Two
per cent of the gross sales price for the sale, lease, or other exploitation of
broadcasting, television, internet, and motion picture rights for a combat
sports contest, without any deductions for commission, brokerage fee,
distribution fees, advertising, contestants' purses, or any other expenses or
charges, including federal, state, or local taxes; and

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(4)
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Two
per cent of the gross receipts from subscription or admission fees, exclusive
of federal, state, and local taxes, charged for viewing within the State of a
simultaneous telecast of a combat sports contest;

provided
that payments under this subsection shall be deposited into a separate account
in the compliance resolution fund and shall be used to cover the costs of the
commission and regulating this chapter.

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(l)
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Within seven days following a combat sports contest, the promoter shall
provide the commission with an unedited video record of the combat sports
contest in a format prescribed by the commission.

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(m)
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No combat sports contest shall be commenced without the approval of the
commission pursuant to this section.

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� -l1
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Licenses, participants.
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(a)
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Any person may apply to the commission for a license to act as a
physician, referee, judge, matchmaker, manager, timekeeper, second, or combat
sports contestant to participate, either directly or indirectly, in any combat
sports contest.
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The application shall be
in writing, addressed to the commission, and signed by the applicant.
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The application shall contain a recital of
facts, as may be specified by the commission, for the commission to determine
whether the applicant possesses the necessary licensure and physical, mental,
and moral qualifications to entitle the applicant to a license.
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The commission shall adopt rules for
licensure in accordance with chapter 91.

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(b)
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In addition, the applicant for a referee, judge, manager, or second
license shall take and pass a written examination as provided by the
commission.
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The commission may exempt a
manager or second license applicant from examination requirements; provided
that the applicant holds a valid manager or second license in another
jurisdiction with comparable combat sports regulations.

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(c)
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Any license to act as a physician, referee, judge, matchmaker, manager,
timekeeper, second, or combat sports contestant may be suspended or revoked, or
the person otherwise disciplined by the commission after a contested case
hearing held in accordance with chapter 91.

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License fees.
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License fees shall be paid annually to the
State by every applicant to whom a license is issued to participate in the
conduct of combat sports in any of the capacities set forth in this chapter:
�
promoter, physician, referee, judge,
matchmaker, manager, timekeeper, second, and combat sports contestant.
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The charge for a duplicate of a license and
all fees required by this chapter shall be as provided in rules adopted by the
director pursuant to chapter 91 and shall be deposited with the director to the
credit of the compliance resolution fund.

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� -13
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Licenses, limitations, renewals.
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(a)
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No
combat sports contest shall be conducted, held, or given unless all the parties
participating, as designated herein, are licensed by the commission, and it
shall be unlawful for any individual or promoter to participate in a combat
sports contest in any capacity designated herein unless the person is licensed
to do so.

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(b)
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The commission may limit the number of licenses issued for any purpose
as specified in this chapter and may limit the number of combat sports contests
conducted, held, or given in any county of the State.

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(c)
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All licenses shall be for a period of not more than one year and all
licenses shall expire on December 31 of the year in which the licenses are
issued.

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(d)
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The commission, at the commission's discretion and upon application, may
renew the licenses for the following year.
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Failure to timely apply for renewal of any license shall result in the
automatic forfeiture of the license.
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Any
applicant whose license has been forfeited shall file an application for a new
license and meet all current requirements, including successful passage of the
examination, as the case may be, for the license.

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(e)
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Every individual or promoter licensed under this chapter shall be
subject to the rules adopted by the commission.

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� -14
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Receipts and reports.
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(a)
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Every promoter holding a license to conduct, hold, or give combat sports
contests, within seventy-two hours after the determination of every combat
sports contest for which admission fees were charged and received, shall
furnish to the commission a written report, duly verified, showing the number
of tickets sold for the combat sports contest, the amount of the gross receipts
or proceeds thereof, and other matters as the commission prescribes.

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(b)
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For purposes of this section, "gross receipts" include income
received from the sale of print, internet, broadcasting, television, and motion
picture rights.

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� -15
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Failure to report receipts.
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Whenever any promoter holding a license to
conduct, hold, or give combat sports contests fails to make a report of any
combat sports contest at the time and in the manner prescribed by this chapter,
or whenever the report is unsatisfactory to the commission, the executive
officer, at the promoter's expense, may examine, or cause to be examined, the
books and records of the promoter.

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� -16
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Admission tickets.
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All tickets of admission to any combat sports
contest for which admission fees are charged and received shall have printed
clearly upon the face of the ticket the purchase price of the ticket, and no
ticket shall be sold for more than the printed price.

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� -17
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Inspectors; duties.
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The commission may appoint official
representatives designated as inspectors, each of whom shall receive from the
commission a card or badge authorizing the person to act as inspector whenever
the commission may designate the person to so act.
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An inspector, the executive officer, or a
deputy commissioner shall be present at all combat sports contests and see that
this chapter and the rules are strictly observed.

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� -18
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Judges; duties.
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The commission, in the commission's
discretion, may appoint two judges to act with the referee in rendering a
decision, or three judges to act with a nonvoting referee in rendering a
decision.

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� -19
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Physician; duties.
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Every promoter holding a license to conduct,
hold, or give combat sports contests shall have in attendance at every combat
sports contest at least two physicians who are licensed to practice medicine in
the State under chapter 453, and licensed pursuant to this chapter, who shall
observe the physical condition of the combat sports contestants and advise the
referee with regard thereto and, one hour before each contestant enters the
ring, certify in writing as to the physical condition of the contestant to
engage in the combat sports contest.
�
A
report of the medical examination shall be filed with the commission not less
than forty-eight hours after the termination of the combat sports contest.
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In addition, at least one physician shall
immediately examine every contestant who was knocked down or who sustained a
severe beating about the head during the combat sports contest and shall file a
written medical opinion within forty-eight hours of the combat sports contest
to the executive officer.

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� -20
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Referees; duties.
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(a)
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At
each combat sports contest there shall be in attendance a duly licensed referee
designated by the commission, who shall direct and control the combat sports
contest.
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The referee shall render a
decision for each combat sports contest, except as otherwise provided under
section �18.

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(b)
�

The referee may recommend and the commission may declare the forfeiture
of any prize, reward, purse, or other compensation, or any part thereof, to
which one or both of the combat sports contestants may be entitled, or any part
of the gate receipts for which the contestants are competing, if in the
commission's judgment one or both of the contestants are not honestly
competing.

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(c)
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Each referee shall warn contestants of the referee's power to recommend
the forfeiture of any prize, reward, purse, or other compensation should there
be any apparent cause for the warning.

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(d)
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In any case where the referee decides that the contestants are not
honestly competing and that under the law the contestants' prize, reward,
purse, or other compensation, or the prize, reward, purse, or other compensation,
of either contestant should be forfeited, the combat sports contest shall be
stopped before the end of the last round, and no decision shall be given.
�
A contestant shall earn nothing and shall not
be paid for a combat sports contest in which there is stalling, faking,
dishonesty, or collusion.
�
The
commission, independently of the referee or the referee's decision, may
determine the merits of any combat sports contest and take whatever action it
considers proper.
�
In any case, the
executive officer or any commissioner may order the prize, reward, purse, or
other compensation, of the offender held up for investigation and action.

����
(e)
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The referee shall stop the combat sports contest when, in the referee's
judgement, either of the contestants shows a marked superiority or is
apparently outclassed.

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�
-21

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Timekeeper; duties
.
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(a)
�
At
each combat sports contest there shall be in attendance at least one timekeeper
licensed pursuant to this chapter and designated to act as the official
timekeeper of the combat sports contest.

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(b)
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The timekeeper shall keep track of the time elapsing during each round
of a combat sports contest, the time intervals between each round, and time between
combat sports contests.
�
The timekeeper
shall keep the referee aware during each combat sports contest of the time
constraints of each combat sports contest.

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�
-22
�
Drug test; withholding of wages; penalty.
�
(a)
�
On the advice of one or both of the
physicians in attendance at every combat sports contest, a post-contest drug
test may be administered to any contestant, at the sole expense of the
promoter, to determine whether the contestant has consumed any illegal drugs or
drugs banned by the commission.

����
(b)
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Any wages due to a contestant shall be withheld by the commission until
the commission, in consultation with the two attending physicians, is satisfied
that the contestant did not have the presence of any illegal or banned drugs in
the contestant's person.

����
(c)
�

Any contestant who fails a drug test shall have the contestant's license
suspended by the commission for not less than twelve months from the date of
the offense and, in the discretion of the commission, may have the contestant's
license permanently revoked.

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� -23
�
Sham or false combat sports contest;
forfeiture of license.
�
Any promoter
who knowingly conducts, holds, gives, or participates in any sham or false
combat sports contest shall forfeit the license issued in accordance with this
chapter, and the license shall be canceled and declared void by the
commission.
�
The promoter and any
officers, partners, or members of the promoter shall not thereafter be entitled
to receive and shall not be given another license.

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� -24
�
Sham or false combat sports contest; penalty
against contestant.
�
Any combat
sports

contestant who knowingly
participates in any sham or false combat sports

contest shall be suspended by the commission for not less than
twelve months from the date of the offense from further participation in any
contest held or given under this chapter and may be permanently disqualified
from further participation in any combat sports contest held or given under
this chapter.

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� -25
�
Financial interest in combat sports
contestant prohibited.
�
(a)
�
No commission member or staff, or appointee,
may receive any compensation from any person who sanctions, arranges, or
promotes a combat sports contest.
�
No
commission member or staff, or appointee, shall have, either directly or
indirectly, any financial interest in any contestant competing in any combat
sports contest.

����
(b)
�

For the purposes of this section, "compensation" shall not
include funds held in escrow for payment to another person in connection with a
combat sports contest.
�
The prohibition
set forth in this section shall not apply to any contract entered into, or any
reasonable compensation received, by the commission to supervise a combat
sports contest in this State or another state.

����
� -26
�
Wages of contestant; prepayment prohibited.
�
All moneys paid to a combat sports contestant
for services, as money prize, reward, compensation, or otherwise, shall be
considered wages.
�
No contestant shall be
paid for services before a combat sports contest; provided that with the
approval of the commission, a promoter may advance sums of money for training
purposes.

����
� -27
�
Disposition of receipts.
�
Except as otherwise provided for in this
chapter, all fees and other moneys received by the commission shall be
deposited into the compliance resolution fund.

����
� -28
�
Summary disciplinary action.
�
The commission may fine, withhold purse money
or fees, and issue immediate temporary suspensions of not more than sixty days
against a licensee for violations of this chapter or commission rules.
�
The commission shall notify the licensee in
writing of any temporary suspension, fine, or withholding of purse money within
five days of the commission's action.
�

The licensee shall have a right to a hearing in accordance with chapter
91; provided that the licensee notifies the commission in writing of the request
for a hearing within thirty days after the commission notifies the licensee in
writing, by mail or personal service, of the commission's order.

����
� -29
�
Inapplicability to active duty armed forces,
armed forces reserves, national guard, or Police Activities League.
�
This chapter shall not apply to any combat
sports contest held as a recreational activity by personnel of the active duty
armed forces, armed forces reserves, or national guard, or the Police
Activities League, when the combat sports contest is held under the supervision
of a recreational officer of the active duty armed forces, armed forces
reserves, national guard, or Police Activities League staff member.

����
� -30
�
Revocation; suspension.
�
(a)
�
In
addition to any other actions authorized by law, the commission shall have the
power to revoke or suspend the license of any person licensed under any of the
classifications designated in this chapter, or fine the licensee, or both, for
any cause authorized by law, including but not limited to the following:

����
(1)
�
Violation
of this chapter, or the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter or any other
law, or any rule that applies to those persons licensed under this chapter;

����
(2)
�
Manifest
incapacity, professional misconduct, or unethical conduct;

����
(3)
�
Making
any false representations or promises through advertising or other
dissemination of information;

����
(4)
�
Any
fraudulent, dishonest, or deceitful act in connection with the licensing of any
promoter under this chapter or in connection with any combat sports contest;

����
(5)
�
Making
any false or misleading statement in any application or document submitted or
required to be filed under this chapter;

����
(6)
�
Revocation
or suspension of a license or other disciplinary action against the licensee by
another combat sports commission, or similar commission;

����
(7)
�
Failure
to report any disciplinary action, including medical and mandatory suspensions,
or revocation or suspension of a license in another jurisdiction within fifteen
days preceding any combat sports contest in which the licensee participates; or

����
(8)
�
Participation
in any sham or false combat sports contest.

����
(b)
�

A manager may be held responsible for all violations of this chapter by
a combat sports contestant whom the manager manages and may be subject to
license revocation or suspension, or a fine, or any combination thereof,
irrespective of whether any disciplinary action is taken against the combat
sports contestant.

����
� -31
�
Penalties.
�

(a)
�
Any person in violation of this chapter
or the rules of the commission shall be fined not more than $5,000 for each
violation.
�
Each day's violation or
failure to comply shall be deemed a separate offense.

����
(b)
�

In addition to the penalties provided in this chapter, any person in
violation of this chapter may be prohibited from engaging in any combat sports
activities in the State for a period in conformity with that set forth in
section 92-17.

����
� -32
�
Cumulative penalties.
�
Unless otherwise expressly provided, the
remedies or penalties provided by this chapter shall be cumulative to each
other and to the remedies or penalties available under all other laws of this
State.

����
� -33
�
Injunctive relief.
�
The commission, in addition to any other
remedies available, may bring an action in any court of this State to enjoin a
person from continuing any violation of this chapter or doing any acts in
furtherance thereof, and for any other relief that the court deems
appropriate."

����
SECTION
3
.
�
Section 26-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

����
"
(c)

�
The board of acupuncture, board of
public accountancy, board of barbering and cosmetology, boxing commission, Hawaii
board of chiropractic,
combat sports commission of Hawaii,
contractors
license board, board of dentistry, board of electricians and plumbers, elevator
mechanics licensing board, board of professional engineers, architects,
surveyors, and landscape architects, board of massage therapy, Hawaii medical
board, motor vehicle industry licensing board, motor vehicle repair industry
board, board of naturopathic medicine, board of nursing, Hawaii board of
optometry, pest control board, board of pharmacy, board of physical therapy,
board of psychology, board of private detectives and guards, real estate
commission, Hawaii board of veterinary medicine, board of speech pathology and
audiology, and any board, commission, program, or entity created pursuant to or
specified by statute in furtherance of the purpose of this section including
but not limited to section 26H-4, or chapters 484, 514B, and 514E shall be
placed within the department of commerce and consumer affairs for
administrative purposes.

����
The public utilities
commission shall be placed, for administrative purposes only, within the
department of commerce and consumer affairs.
�

Notwithstanding section 26-9(e), (f), (g), (h), (j), (k), (l), (m), (n),
(p), (q), (r), and (s), and except as permitted by sections 269-2 and 269-3,
the department of commerce and consumer affairs shall not direct or exert
authority over the day-to-day operations or
functions
of the commission
."

����
SECTION
4
.
�
Section 92-28, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended to read as follows:

����
"
�
92-28
�
State

service fees; increase or decrease of.
�

Any law to the contrary notwithstanding, the fees or other nontax
revenues assessed or charged by any board, commission, or other governmental
agency may be increased or decreased by the body in an amount not to exceed
fifty per cent of the statutorily assessed fee or nontax revenue, to maintain a
reasonable relation between the revenues derived from [
such
]
the
fee
or nontax revenue and the cost or value of services rendered, comparability
among fees imposed by the State, or any other purpose [
which
]
that

it may deem necessary and reasonable; provided that:

����
(1)
�
The authority to increase or decrease
fees or nontax revenues shall be subject to the approval of the governor and
extend only to the following:
�
chapters
36, 92, 94, 142, 144, 145, 147, 150, 171, 188, 189, 231, 269, 271, 321, 338,
373, 412, 414, 414D, 415A, 417E, 419, 421, 421C, 421H, 421I, 425, 425E, 428,
431, 436E, 436H, 437, 437B, 440, [
440E,
]
,

441, 442, 443B, 444, 447, 448, 448E, 448F, 448H, 451A, 451J, 452, 453, 453D,
455, 456, 457, 457A, 457B, 457G, 458, 459, 460J, 461, 461J, 462A, 463, 463E, 464,
465, 465D, 466, 466D, 466K, 467, 467E, 468E, 468L, 468M, 469, 471, 472, 482,
482E, 484, 485A, 501, 502, 505, 514B, 514E, 572, 574, and 846 (part II) and any
board, commission, program, or entity created pursuant to title 25 and assigned
to the department of commerce and consumer affairs or placed within the
department for administrative purposes;

����
(2)
�
The
authority to increase or decrease fees or nontax revenues under the chapters
listed in paragraph (1) that are established by the department of commerce and
consumer affairs shall apply to fees or nontax revenues established by statute
or rule;

����
(3)
�
The
authority to increase or decrease fees or nontax revenues established by the
University of Hawaii under chapter 304A shall be subject to the approval of the
board of regents; provided that the board's approval of any increase or
decrease in tuition for regular credit courses shall be preceded by an open
public meeting held during or before the semester preceding the semester to
which the tuition applies;

����
(4)
�
This
section shall not apply to judicial fees as may be set by any chapter cited in
this section;

����
(5)
�
The
authority to increase or decrease fees or nontax revenues pursuant to this
section shall be exempt from the public notice and public hearing requirements
of chapter 91; and

����
(6)
�
Fees
for copies of proposed and final rules and public notices of proposed
rulemaking actions under chapter 91 shall not exceed 10 cents a page, as
required by section 91-2.5."

����
SECTION 5.
�

Chapter 440E, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.

����
SECTION 6.
�

There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $ or so
much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or
so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to fund
full-time equivalent ( FTE) positions within the
department of commerce and consumer affairs for the combat sports commission of
Hawaii.

����
The sums

appropriated shall be expended by the department of commerce and
consumer affairs for the purposes of this Act.

����
SECTION 7.
�

Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION 8.
�

This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025; provided that sections 3 and
4 of this Act shall take effect upon the adoption of rules by the combat sports
commission of Hawaii pursuant to section -7 of section 2 of
this Act.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Combat
Sports Contests; Combat Sports Commission of Hawaii; Prohibitions; Mixed
Martial Arts Contests; Repeal; Appropriations

Description:

Establishes
the Combat Sports Commission of Hawaii.
�

Provides for regulation of combat sports.
�
Prohibits no rules combat or similar
contests.
�
Repeals chapter 440E, HRS,
relating to Mixed Martial Arts Contests.
�

Appropriates funds.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.