Wisconsin Legislature: 001 - EmR1705 Rule Text

SECTION 1. Chapters SPS 110 to 116 are repealed.

SECTION 2. Chapter SPS 192 is repealed and recreated to read:

UNARMED COMBAT SPORTS

Subchapter I — Authority, Scope, and Definitions

SPS 192.01 Authority and scope. The rules in this chapter are adopted under the authority in s. 440.03 (1), (1m), and (7m) and ch. 444, Stats., and, with the exception of amateur boxing, regulate unarmed combat sports conducted in this state.

Note: Section 444.05, Stats., provides a person may conduct an amateur boxing contest in this state only if the contest is sanctioned by and conducted under the rules of the national governing body for amateur boxing that is recognized by the United States Olympic Committee under 36 USC 220521.

SPS 192.02 Definitions. In this chapter:

(1) "ABC's unified rules" means the unified rules of mixed martial arts, professional boxing, or other unarmed combat sport as adopted by the Association of Boxing Commissions.

Note: The ABC’s unified rules are available at www.abcboxing.com.

(2) “Amateur” means an individual participating in an unarmed combat sports bout or exhibition who receives or competes for a purse, article, or item of $50 or less in value or that is approved by the department under s. SPS 192.14 (1) (f) 4. for that participation.

(3) “Anabolic steroid” has the meaning given in s. 961.01 (2m) (a), Stats.

(4) "Bout" means unarmed combat between 2 contestants.

(5) “Boxer” means a person licensed by the department who competes in a boxing bout.

(6) “Cage” means a fenced enclosure in which promotional organizations hold unarmed combat bouts.

(7) “Commissioner” means a person duly authorized to represent the department in administering the regulation of unarmed combat sports events.

(8) “Contestant” means a person licensed by the department who competes in an unarmed combat bout.

(9) “Controlled substance” has the meaning given in s. 961.01 (4), Stats.

(10) “Corner” means the portion of the fighting area that is reserved for a contestant and his or her seconds between rounds.

(11) “Department” means the department of safety and professional services.

(12) “Drug” means a controlled substance.

(13) "Event" means an organized contest or exhibition of unarmed combat sports.

(14) "Grappling" means techniques of throwing, locking, holding, and wrestling, as opposed to kicking and punching an opposing contestant.

(15) "Kickboxing" means the act of attack and defense with the fists and feet that is practiced as a sport under the rules described under subch. VI, or other, comparable rules.

(16) "Mixed martial arts" or “mixed martial arts bout” means fighting that involves the use of a combination of techniques from different disciplines of martial arts, including grappling, kicking, and striking.

(17) "Mixed martial arts contestant" means a person licensed by the department who competes in a mixed martial arts bout.

(18) "Muay Thai" means the act of attack and defense with the fists, forearms, elbows, knees, shins, and feet and clinching techniques that is practiced as a sport under the rules described under subch. VII, or other, comparable rules.

(19) “Official” means a referee, judge, timekeeper, ringside physician, inspector, or department representative involved in conducting an unarmed combat sports event.

(20) "Permit" means a credential issued to a promoter or professional club to conduct a specific unarmed combat sports event.

(21) “Professional” means an individual participating in an unarmed combat sports bout or exhibition who either receives or competes for any purse, article, or item that exceeds $50 in value for that participation.

(22) "Professional club" means a club licensed under ch. 444, Stats., to conduct unarmed combat sports events.

(23) “Promoter” means any person, club, corporation, or association, and in the case of a corporate promoter includes any officer, director, employee, or stockholder, who conducts, produces, arranges, or stages an unarmed combat sports event.

(24) “Second” means an assistant to a contestant during a bout, unless the context requires otherwise.

(25) “Unarmed combat” or “unarmed combat sports” means any form of fighting in which the objective is for a contestant to injure, disable, or incapacitate one’s opponent, but does not include any fighting in a contest for which the rules prohibit a contestant from striking an opponent’s head.

Subchapter II — License Applications and Permits

SPS 192.03 Bond required for promoter and club license. Any promoter or club who wishes to conduct an unarmed combat sports event shall post a bond or other surety of not less than $10,000 as required by s. 444.035, Stats., with their application for a promoter or club license, to ensure payment of the expenses incurred in conducting an event including, in order of priority, the department, contestants, and the officials.

SPS 192.04 Promoter's license.

(1) Application. Any person, club, corporation, or association who wishes to conduct an unarmed combat sports event in this state shall, before conducting an event, submit an application for a promoter's license on forms provided by the department, together with the fee specified in s.444.03, Stats.

Note: Applications are available from the Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Professional Credentialing, 1400 E. Washington Avenue, P.O. Box 8935, Madison, Wisconsin 53708, or from the department's website at: http://dsps.wi.gov.

(2) Eligibility. (a) To be eligible for a promoter's license, an applicant shall do all of the following:

1. Comply with the requirements in s. 444.03, Stats.

2. Comply with the requirements in s. 444.11, Stats., if applicable; submit a copy of their articles of incorporation and proof that the secretary of state has filed their articles pursuant to s. 180.0122, Stats.; and identify all persons connected with or having a proprietary interest in the professional club, corporation, or association and the percentage of proprietary interest.

3. Acquire appropriate knowledge of the proper conduct of competition involved in unarmed combat sports.

4. Post a $10,000 bond, or other surety made payable to the department, a copy of the certificate verifying the approval and the filing of the bond, or other surety with the department.

(b) The department shall issue a promoter's license if it finds that the applicant is not in default on any payments, obligations, or debts payable to the state of Wisconsin.

(c) The department may deny a license to an applicant who has committed any act that would, if committed by a licensee, subject the applicant to discipline under subch. IX.

SPS 192.05 Matchmaker's license.

(1) Application. A person shall, before acting as a matchmaker at any unarmed combat sports event, submit an application on forms provided by the department together with the fee specified in s. 444.11, Stats.

(2) Eligibility. (a) To be eligible for a license as a matchmaker, an applicant shall be at least 18 years of age.

(b) The department may deny a license to an applicant who has committed any act that would, if committed by a licensee, subject the applicant to discipline under subch. IX.

SPS 192.06 Contestant's license.

(1) Application. A person shall, before acting as a professional boxing contestant, a professional or amateur mixed martial arts contestant, or a professional or amateur kickboxing or Muay Thai contestant at an event, submit an application on forms provided by the department together with the fee specified in s. 444.11, Stats.

(2) Eligibility. To be eligible for a license as a professional or amateur contestant, an applicant shall comply with all of the following:

(a) Be at least 18 years of age.

(b) Be capable of engaging in an unarmed combat bout based on the information included in the application and any other information the department considers reliable.

(c) Submit to the department an application for an Association of Boxing Commissions' mixed martial arts national identification number or boxing federal identification number along with a $10 processing fee or a $10 replacement fee.

(d) Submit results of a complete physical examination by a physician, including any laboratory tests, conducted no more than 180 days before the date of the application and conducted in accordance with ch. 448, Stats., affirming all of the following:

1. Negative HIV.

2. Negative hepatitis B surface antigen. If a contestant had a failing hepatitis B antigen test, the contestant shall pass a hepatitis B "PCR" quantitative test. The quantitative limit shall be within permissible limits according to the laboratory where the test was administered.

3. Negative hepatitis C antibody. If a contestant had a failing hepatitis C antibody test, the contestant shall pass a hepatitis C "PCR" quantitative test. The quantitative limit shall be within permissible limits according to the laboratory where the test was administered.

(e) Submit results of a favorable eye examination by a licensed physician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist.

(f) If of age 40 or more, submit favorable results for all of the following examinations and tests conducted or obtained no more than 180 days before the date of application:

1. An MRI or magnetic resonance angiography brain examination.

2. A stress echocardiogram examination with cardiology clearance.

3. A metabolic blood profile.

4. A chest x-ray.

(g) Submit authorization for releasing medical records to the department.

(h) Submit any additional information requested by the department needed to determine an applicant’s eligibility for a license.

(3) Denial. The department may deny a license to an applicant who has committed any act that would, if committed by a licensee, subject the applicant to discipline under subch. IX.

SPS 192.07 Judge's license.

(1) Application. A person shall, before acting as a judge for any professional boxing bout, professional or amateur mixed martial arts bout, or professional or amateur kickboxing or Muay Thai bout, submit an application on forms provided by the department with the fee as specified in s. 444.11, Stats.

(2) Eligibility. (a) To be eligible for a license as a judge, an applicant shall be at least 18 years of age.

(b) The department may deny a license to an applicant who has committed any act that would, if committed by a licensee, subject the applicant to discipline under subch. IX.

(c) An applicant shall, on forms provided by the department, submit the results of an examination with corrective lenses.

(3) Qualifications. In accordance with s. 444.095 (3), Stats., the department shall determine whether a person possesses the knowledge and experience necessary to hold a license as a judge by reviewing one or more of the following:

(a) A certificate of completion of a judge's training program from another state, other regulating bodies such as the Association of Boxing Commissions, and other organizations that have a judge's training program certified by the Association of Boxing Commissions or another association recognized by the department.

(b) A resume with 3 professional references that can verify the number of years of experience as a judge along with a log of experience.

(d) 1. A passing grade on an examination administered by the department that tests the examinee's knowledge, and successful completion of the trial judge program under subd. 2.

2. The trial judge program administered and supervised by the commissioner, inspector, or department representative shall consist of all of the following:

a. Observing unarmed combat sports events.

b. Shadowing a licensed judge at unarmed combat sports events.