RELATING TO COMBAT SPORTS.

SB2045

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2045

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

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.
�
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
further finds that to continue growing the combat sports industry in the State
and to attract events like those staged by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the
state boxing commission of Hawaii should be expanded to include combat sports.

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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to:

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(1)
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Rename the existing state boxing
commission of Hawaii to the boxing and combat sports commission of Hawaii and
expand its jurisdiction to include combat sports; and

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(2)
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Repeal the existing mixed martial arts contests
program.

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SECTION
2.
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Chapter 440, Hawaii Revised Statutes,
is amended to as follows:

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1.
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By amending its title to read:

"CHAPTER 440

BOXING
AND COMBAT SPORTS

CONTESTS"

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2.
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By adding a new section to be appropriately
designated and to read:

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"
�440-EE
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Definitions.
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As
used in this chapter:

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"Commission"
means the boxing and combat sports commission of Hawaii.

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"Contest"
means match or exhibition.

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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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3.
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By designating section 440-EE as part I, and
inserting a title before section 440-EE to read "General Provisions".

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4.
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By designating sections 440-1 to 440-37 as
part II, and inserting a title before section 440-1 to read "Boxing
Contests".

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5.
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By adding a new part to be appropriately
designated and to read:

"
Part .
�
combat sports contests

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�
440-A
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Definitions.
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As
used in
this part:

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"Amateur
combat sports contest" means a combat sports contest, but in which no
money prize, purse, or other form of monetary compensation is offered or given
to amateur combat sports contestants.

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"Amateur
combat sports contestant" means a person who is trained in combat sports,
competes in an amateur combat sports contest, and is at least eighteen years of
age.

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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 part
and any rules adopted to implement these limits.

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"Combat
sports contest" means a contest 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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"Licensed
health care provider" includes a physician licensed to practice medicine
in the State under chapter 453.

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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
arranging, conducting, or procuring 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 performed in the State in
which the participants:

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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 participants 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, 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 conducts, gives, holds, or promotes a combat sports contest.

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�440-B
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Amateur combat sports.
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This
part, with the exception of sections 440-F(b)(5) and 440-I(c) and (e), shall
apply to amateur combat sports contests.

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�440-C
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Deputy combat sports commissioners.
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The director may appoint deputy combat sports commissioners after
receiving the approval of the commission to do so.
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The director may remove deputy combat sports
commissioners after consultation with the commission.
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The commission may direct one or more deputy combat
sports commissioners to be present at any combat sports contest and, in the
absence of the commission or a member of the commission, to supervise and
control the combat sports contest, in accordance with this part and the rules
adopted by the commission pursuant to this part.
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The deputy combat sports 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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�440-D
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Other employees.
�
Subject to
chapter 76, the department may employ clerks, inspectors, and other employees
as it deems necessary for the purposes of this part.

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�440-E
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Powers and duties of the commission.
�

In addition to any other powers and duties authorized by law, the
commission shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary or expedient for
the conduct of its business and regulation of the matters in this part
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;

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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 as 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; provided that 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 licensed health care provider'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 participate in a combat sports
contest 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:

���������
(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 licensed health care provider'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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�440-F
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Jurisdiction of commission.
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(a)
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The commission shall have
exclusive jurisdiction, direction, management, and control over all combat
sports contests conducted, given, or held within the State.
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No combat sports contest shall be conducted, given,
or held within the State except in accordance with this part and the rules
adopted by the commission pursuant to this part.

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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 licensed physician
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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Each contestant furnishes to the
commission:

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(A)
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A medical report of a medical
examination completed not less than six months before the contest, including
the results of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis testing; and

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(B)
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Previous fight records that establish
the contestant's fitness to compete in the contest;

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(5)
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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 of
experience in refereeing a contest involving combat sports and who has passed a
physical examination by a licensed health care provider, including an eye
examination, within two years before the combat sports contest;

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(6)
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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, with a
review and enforcement fee of $500, to establish that the combat sports contest
is not prohibited under this part; provided that if the commission determines
that the combat sports contest is prohibited by this part, the commission shall
refund the $500 review and enforcement fee to the promoter;

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(7)
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The promoter has complied with sections
440-H and 440‑I; and

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(8)
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All participants have complied with the
requirements provided in this part and rules adopted pursuant to 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 conduct, give, hold,
participate in, or promote 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 part.

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�440-G
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Control and supervision of amateur combat sports contests.
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Amateur combat sports contests may be placed
under the control and supervision of any recognized national amateur combat
sports association.
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The director shall
adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 for the purposes of this section.

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�440-H
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Licenses; promoters.
�
(a)
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A promoter shall apply to the commission for
a license to conduct, give, hold, or promote a combat sports contest.
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The application shall be in writing,
addressed to the commission, signed by the applicant, and 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 satisfied
all of the applicable requirements of the business registration division of the
department.

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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 financial, mental,
moral, and physical qualifications to entitle the applicant to a license.

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(c)
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The application for a license to conduct, give,
hold, or 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, give, hold, or promote 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 part;

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(2)
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Possesses the necessary qualifications
for a promoter 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, give, hold, or
promote the combat sports contest itself.

The commission
shall not issue a promoter 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 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 part 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 combat sports.

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

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�440-I
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Requirements to conduct, give, or hold a combat sports contest.
�
(a)
�

For approval to conduct, give, or hold a combat sports contest, a licensed
promoter shall provide proof of medical insurance for combat sports contestants
in accordance with rules adopted by the commission.
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A licensed promoter 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 licensed
promoter shall provide a bond, in an amount determined by the commission, to
adequately cover the licensed promoter's obligations in conducting, giving, or
holding a combat sports contest.
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The
bond shall be executed by the licensed promoter as principal and by a surety
company authorized to conduct business in the State as the surety.
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If the licensed 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 judicial
circuit in which the combat sports contest was conducted, given, or held;
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, given, or held.

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

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(e)
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A licensed promoter shall provide a cashier's
or certified check made payable to each licensed combat sports contestant for
the amount due the licensed contestant or the licensed contestant's licensed 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 licensed promoter shall provide to the
commission written confirmation that an ambulance with paramedics have been
obtained and will be present at all times at the venue of the combat sports contest.

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

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

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(1)
�
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)
�
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)
�
Two per cent of the gross sales price
for the sale, lease, or other exploitation of broadcasting, internet, motion
picture, and television rights for a combat sports contest, without any
deductions for advertising, brokerage fees, commissions, contestants' purses,
distribution fees, 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 part.

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(m)
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Within seven days following a combat sports
contest, the licensed 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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(n)
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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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�440-J
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Licenses; participants.
�

(a)
�
Any person may apply to the
commission for a license to act as a combat sports contestant, health care
provider, judge, manager, matchmaker, physician, referee, second, or timekeeper,
or to participate, either directly or indirectly, in any combat sports
contest.
�
The application shall be in
writing, addressed to the commission, and signed by the applicant.
�
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 mental, moral, and physical
qualifications to entitle the applicant to a license.
�
The commission shall adopt rules for
licensure in accordance with chapter 91.

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(b)
�
In addition to subsection (a), the applicant
for a judge, manager, referee, or second license shall take and pass a written
examination as provided by the commission.
�

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)
�
Any license to act as a combat sports
contestant, health care provider, judge, manager, matchmaker, physician,
referee, second, or timekeeper 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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�440-K
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License fees.
�
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
described in this part, including combat sports contestant, health care
provider, judge, manager, matchmaker, physician, promoter, referee, second, and
timekeeper.
�
The charge for a duplicate
of a license and all fees required by this part 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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�440-L
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Licenses; limitations and renewals.
�

(a)
�
No combat sports contest
shall be conducted, given, held, or promoted unless all the parties
participating, as specified in this part, are licensed by the commission.
�
It shall be unlawful for any individual or
promoter to participate in a combat sports contest in any capacity specified in
this part unless the person is licensed to do so.

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

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

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(d)
�
The commission, at the commission's
discretion and upon application, may renew a license for the following
year.
�
Failure to timely apply for
renewal of any license shall result in the automatic forfeiture of the
license.
�
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)
�
Any person or promoter licensed under this
part shall be subject to the rules adopted by the commission.

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�440-M
�

Receipts and reports.
�

(a)
�
Every promoter holding a
license to conduct, give, hold, or promote a combat sports contest, 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)
�
For the purposes of this section, "gross
receipts" include income received from the sale of broadcasting, internet,
motion picture, print, and television rights.

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�440-N
�

Failure to report receipts.
�

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

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�440-O
�

Admission tickets.
�
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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�440-P
�

Inspectors; duties.
�
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 an inspector whenever the commission may designate the person
to so act.
�
An inspector, the executive
officer, or a deputy combat sports commissioner shall be present at all combat
sports contests to ensure that this part and the rules are strictly observed.

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�440-Q
�

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

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�440-R
�

Physician; duties.
�
Every
promoter holding a license to conduct, give, hold, or promote 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 part, who shall observe the physical condition of the
licensed combat sports contestants and advise the licensed referee on their
physical condition and, one hour before a licensed contestant enters the ring,
certify in writing as to the physical condition of the licensed 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.
�
In addition, at least one licensed physician
shall immediately examine every licensed 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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�440-S
�

Referees; duties.
�
(a)
�
At each combat sports contest there shall be
in attendance a licensed referee designated by the commission, who shall direct
and control the combat sports contest.
�

The licensed referee shall render a decision for each combat sports
contest, except as otherwise provided under this section.

����
(b)
�
The licensed 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 licensed contestants
may be entitled, or any part of the gate receipts for which the licensed contestants
are competing, if in the commission's judgment one or both of the licensed contestants
are not honestly competing.

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(c)
�
Each licensed referee shall warn the licensed
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)
�
In any case where the licensed referee
decides that the licensed contestants are not honestly competing and that under
the law the licensed contestants' prize, reward, purse, or other compensation,
or the prize, reward, purse, or other compensation, of either licensed 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 licensed contestant shall earn nothing and
shall not be paid for a combat sports contest in which there is collusion, dishonesty,
faking, or stalling.
�
The commission,
independently of the licensed referee or the licensed referee's decision, may
determine the merits of any combat sports contest and take whatever action it
considers proper.
�
The executive officer
or any commissioner may order the prize, reward, purse, or other compensation,
of the offender to be held for investigation and action.

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

����
�440-T
�

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

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

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�440-U
�

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

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

����
(c)
�
Any licensed 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.

����
�440-V
�

Sham or false contests; forfeiture of promoter license.
�
Any licensed promoter who knowingly conducts,
gives, holds, promotes, or participates in any sham or false combat sports
contest shall forfeit the license issued in accordance with this part, 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 be entitled to receive, and shall not be
given, another license.

����
�440-W
�

Sham or false contests; penalty against contestant.
�
Any licensed 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 combat sports contest conducted, given, or held
under this part and may be permanently disqualified from further participation
in any combat sports contest conducted, given, or held under this part.

����
�440-X
�

Financial interest in combat sports contestants prohibited.
�
(a)
�
No
commission member or staff, or appointee, shall receive 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)
�
The prohibition described 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.

����
(c)
�
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.
�

����
�440-Y
�

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

����
�440-Z
�

Disposition of receipts.
�

Except as otherwise provided in this part, all fees and other moneys
received by the commission shall be deposited into the compliance resolution
fund.

����
�440-AA
�
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 any violation of this part or commission rules.
�
The commission shall notify the licensee in
writing of any temporary suspension, fine, or withholding of purse money or
fees 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 shall notify 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.

����
�440-BB
�

Inapplicability to active duty armed forces, armed forces reserves,
national guard, or Police Activities League.
�
This part shall not apply to any combat
sports contest held as a recreational activity by personnel of the active duty
armed forces, armed forces reserves, 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 reserve,
national guard, or Police Activities League staff member.

����
�440-CC
�

Revocation; suspension.
�

(a)
�
In addition to any other
actions authorized by law, the commission may revoke or suspend the license of
any person licensed under any of the classifications designated in this part,
or fine the licensee, or both, for any cause authorized by law, including but
not limited to the following:

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

����
(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 part 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 part;

����
(6)
�
Revocation or suspension of a license
or other disciplinary action against the licensee by another combat sports
commission, or other 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 licensed manager may be held responsible
for any violations of this part by a licensed contestant whom the licensed manager
manages and may be subject to license revocation or suspension, fines, or any
combination thereof, irrespective of whether any disciplinary action is taken
against the licensed contestant.

����
�440-DD
�

Penalties.
�
(a)
�
Any person in violation of
this part 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
part, any person in violation of this part 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."

����
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
and combat
sports
commission, Hawaii board of chiropractic, 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
]
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
.
�
Section 440-1,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

����
"
�440-1
�

Definitions.
�
As used in this [
chapter:
]

part:

����
"Amateur
boxing contest" is one in which no contestant has boxed with or against a
professional boxer or another amateur boxer for a money prize or purse, except
as provided in this [
chapter.
]
part.

����
"Boxing"
means a contest in which the act of attack and defense is practiced with gloved
fists by two contestants.

����
"Club"
means a promoter, corporation, joint venture, partnership, limited liability
corporation, limited liability partnership, or any other type of business
entity that promotes, conducts, holds, or gives a boxing contest.
�
The terms "club" and
"promoter" are synonymous, and may be used interchangeably.

����
[
"Commission"
means the state boxing commission.

����
"Contest"
means match or exhibition.

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

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

����
"Manager"
means any person who:

����
(1)
�
Undertakes or has undertaken to
represent in any way the interest of any professional boxer in procuring,
arranging, or conducting any professional contest in which the boxer is to
participate as a contestant; provided that "manager" shall not include
an attorney licensed to practice in this State while the attorney is
representing the legal interest of a professional boxer as a client; or

����
(2)
�
Directs or controls the boxing
activities of the professional boxer.

����
"Professional
boxer" is one who:
�
competes for a
money prize or purse or other form of compensation; or teaches, pursues, or
assists in the practice of boxing as a means of obtaining a livelihood or
pecuniary gain.

����
"Professional
boxing contest" or "boxing contest" is one in which a contestant
boxes with or against another boxer for a money prize or purse or other form of
compensation."

����
SECTION

6
.
�
Section 440-2,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

����
"
�440-2
�

Commission established.
�
There
shall be a board which shall be known as the [
state
] boxing
and
combat sports
commission of Hawaii.
�

The commission shall consist of [
five
]
eight
members.
�
At least one of the members shall be a member
of USA Boxing, Inc.
�
At least one
member shall have experience in the regulation of combat sports and combat
sports events.
�
One member shall be
designated by the governor as chairperson of the commission."

����
SECTION

7
.
�
Section 440-5,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

����
"
�440-5
�

Deputy commissioners.
�
The
director may appoint deputy
boxing
commissioners[
; provided that the
director has
]
after receiving
the approval of the commission [
prior
to any appointment.
]
to do so.
�

The director may remove deputy commissioners after consultation with the
commission.
�
The commission may direct
the deputy commissioner or deputy commissioners to be present at any boxing
contest and, in the absence of the commission or a member thereof, to
superintend and control the boxing contest, in accordance with this [
chapter
]

part
and the rules adopted by the commission pursuant thereto.
�
The deputy commissioners shall make a written
report to the executive officer in the manner and form prescribed by the
commission of the conditions prevailing at every
boxing
contest."

����
SECTION

8
.
�
Section 440-20,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

����
"
�440-20
�

Judges; duties.
�
The [
boxing
]
commission may in its discretion 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."

����
SECTION

9
.
�
Section 440-23,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

����
"
�440-23
�

Sham boxing contest; penalty against contestant.
�
Any contestant who knowingly participates in
any sham or false boxing contest shall be suspended by the [
boxing
]
commission for not less than twelve months from the date of the offense from
further participation in any boxing contest held or given under this [
chapter
]

part
and may be permanently disqualified from further participation in
any boxing contest held or given under this [
chapter.
]
part.
"

����
SECTION

10
.
�
Section
440-29, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

����
"
�440-29
�

Limit of weight difference between contestants.
�
No boxing contest shall be allowed in which
the difference in weight between the respective contestants exceeds the limits
which the [
boxing
] commission prescribes in its rules."

����
SECTION

11
.
�
Section
440-32, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

����
"
�440-32
�

Amateur contestants entitled to medals and trophies only.
�
A medal or trophy may be awarded to each
contestant in an amateur boxing contest not to exceed in value the sum of $35
each.
�
The medal or trophy shall have
engraved thereon the name of the winner and the date of the event.

����
No
other or additional prize, reward, or remuneration shall be given or awarded to
any contestant unless authorized in writing by the [
boxing
] commission.

����
Every
contestant in an amateur boxing contest or sparring match shall be registered
with the commission or its amateur representative and subject to an annual
physical examination.
�
Each amateur
contestant shall be examined by a physician immediately before the
contest."

����
SECTION

12
.
�
Section
440-33, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

����
"
�440-33
�

Disposition of receipts.
�
All
moneys received by the [
boxing
] commission shall be deposited by the
director of commerce and consumer affairs with the director of finance to the
credit of the general fund of the State."

����
SECTION
13.
�
Chapter 440E, Hawaii Revised
Statutes, is repealed.

����
SECTION
14.
�
Sections 440-9, 440-10, 440-13,
440-14, 440‑18, 440-22, 440-34, 440-34.5, 440-35, and 440-36, Hawaii
Revised Statutes, are amended by substituting the word "this part",
or similar term, wherever the phrase "this chapter", or similar term,
appears, as the context requires.

����
SECTION
15.
�
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 2026-2027 for the
establishment of full-time equivalent
( FTE) positions within the department of
commerce and consumer affairs for the boxing and combat sports commission of
Hawaii.

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

����
SECTION
16.
�
In codifying the new sections added
by section 2 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate
section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this
Act.

����
SECTION
17.
�
Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory
material is underscored.

����
SECTION
18.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its
approval; provided that section 15 shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

State
Boxing Commission of Hawaii; Boxing and Combat Sports Commission of Hawaii;
Combat Sports Contests; Prohibitions; Mixed Martial Arts Contests; Repeal;
Appropriation

Description:

Renames
the State Boxing Commission of Hawaii as the Boxing and Combat Sports
Commission of Hawaii.
�
Amends the
jurisdiction of the Commission to include combat sports contests.
�
Prohibits no rules combat or similar combat
sports contests.
�
Repeals the existing Mixed
Martial Arts Contests Program.
�

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.