Current rules regulate professional boxing and professional and amateur mixed martial arts. The rules expand existing regulations to include professional and amateur kickboxing and Muay Thai, and provide a means for approval of other unarmed combat sports.
The rules also update the regulations for professional boxing and professional and amateur mixed martial arts to reflect current regulatory practices and provide consistency in the regulation of all unarmed combat sports.
Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal statutes and regulations:
Chapter 89 of Title 15 of the United States Code regulates the safety of professional boxing. As professional boxing and the use of boxing techniques fall under the definition of unarmed combat sports in chapter 444 of the statutes, the requirements in 15 USC chapter 89 affect the regulation of unarmed combat sports proposed by the rule. The regulations in the rules neither duplicate nor conflict with existing federal regulations. Comparison with rules in adjacent states:
Illinois:
The Division of Professional Regulation of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation regulates professional boxing; professional and amateur mixed martial arts; and full-contact martial arts including Karate, Kung Fu, Jujitsu, Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do, and kickboxing (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1370.10 to 1370.780).
Iowa:
The Division of Labor of the Iowa Workforce Development regulates professional and amateur boxing, professional and amateur mixed martial arts, and professional wrestling (875 IAC 169 to 177).
Michigan:
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs regulates unarmed combat (875 IAC 169 to 177). Unarmed combat is defined in the Michigan statutes (MCL 338.3611 (m)) as professional boxing, professional or amateur mixed martial arts, or any other form of competition in which a blow is usually struck or another fighting technique is applied that may reasonably be expected to inflict injury.
Minnesota:
The Minnesota Boxing Commission regulates boxing and tough person contests (Minnesota Rules, Part 2201.0010 to 2201.0500). The Minnesota Combative Sports Commission regulates professional and amateur mixed martial arts (Minnesota Rules, Part 2202.0010 to 2202.1200).
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies:
With participation from the Unarmed Combat Sports Code Advisory Committee, the rules were developed by reviewing the department’s current rules regulating professional boxing and professional and amateur mixed martial arts and the rules of various national and international kickboxing and Muay Thai associations and organizations, including the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations and Glory Sports International.
Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact analysis:
The fiscal estimate submitted with the bill associated with 2015 Wisconsin Act 277 was used in the department’s analysis. The rules have no new or additional impact. Fiscal estimate:
Please see the fiscal estimate submitted with the bill associated with 2015 Wisconsin Act 277. The rules have no new or additional impact. Effect on small business:
These rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats. The Department’s Regulatory Review Coordinator may be contacted by email at Greg.Gasper@wisconsin.gov, or by calling (608) 261-4466. Agency contact person:
Dale Kleven, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Policy Development, 1400 East Washington Avenue, Room 151, P.O. Box 8366, Madison, Wisconsin 53708; telephone 608-261-4472; email at DSPSAdminRules@wisconsin.gov. Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission:
Comments may be submitted to Dale Kleven, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Policy Development, 1400 East Washington Avenue, Room 151, P.O. Box 8366, Madison, Wisconsin 53708, or by email to DSPSAdminRules@wisconsin.gov. Comments must be submitted by the date and time at which the public hearing on these rules is conducted. Information as to the place, date, and time of the public hearing will be published on the Department of Safety and Professional Services’ website and in the Wisconsin Administrative Register. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEXT OF RULE
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.
(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. (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.
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 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.
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. 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.
