2009 WISCONSIN ACT 111
An Act to repeal 444.09 (8); to renumber and amend 444.02; to amend chapter 444 (title), 444.02 (title), 444.03, 444.04, 444.06, 444.09 (title), 444.09 (1), 444.09 (3), 444.09 (6), 444.10 (title), 444.11, 444.12, 444.13, 444.14, 444.15 and 444.18; and to create 20.165 (1) (im), 444.01 (1g), 444.01 (1m), 444.01 (1r), 444.01 (3), 444.01 (4), 444.02 (3) (a), 444.02 (3) (b), 444.02 (3) (c), 444.035, 444.09 (9), 444.095 and 444.19 of the statutes;
relating to: changes in the regulation of boxing contests, regulating mixed martial arts fighting contests, granting rule-making authority, making appropriations, and providing a penalty.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
111,1
Section
1. 20.165 (1) (im) of the statutes is created to read:
20.165 (1) (im) Boxing and mixed martial arts fighting; enforcement. Fifty percent of all moneys received in forfeitures imposed under s. 444.14, for enforcement of ch. 444.
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Section
2. Chapter 444 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
Chapter 444
regulation of boxing and
mixed martial arts fighting
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Section
3. 444.01 (1g) of the statutes is created to read:
444.01 (1g) "Amateur mixed martial arts fighting contest" means a mixed martial arts fighting contest or exhibition in which none of the fighters are compensated for participating in the contest or exhibition.
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4. 444.01 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:
444.01 (1m) "Physician" means a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery under s. 448.04 (1) (a).
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5. 444.01 (1r) of the statutes is created to read:
444.01 (1r) "Mixed martial arts fighting" does not include any of the following:
(a) Fighting in which the contestants in a match use the same single form of martial arts, even if the match is part of an event comprising more than one such match and not all the matches in the event use the same single form of martial arts.
(b) A martial arts match in which the rules prohibit a contestant from striking an opponent's head with the intent to cause unconsciousness or inflict damage.
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6. 444.01 (3) of the statutes is created to read:
444.01 (3) "Professional contest" means a professional boxing contest or a professional mixed martial arts fighting contest.
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7. 444.01 (4) of the statutes is created to read:
444.01 (4) "Professional mixed martial arts fighting contest" means a mixed martial arts fighting contest in which one or more of the fighters is compensated for participating in the contest or exhibition.
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8. 444.02 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
444.02 (title) Boxing licenses, Licenses and permits.
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Section
9. 444.02 of the statutes is renumbered 444.02 (1) and amended to read:
444.02 (1) The department shall have the sole direction, management, and control of, and jurisdiction over, all professional boxing contests and all amateur mixed martial arts fighting contests conducted within the state by any promoter or club. No club or promoter may conduct professional boxing contests may be conducted or amateur mixed martial arts fighting contests within the state except under authority granted by the department and in accordance with this chapter and the rules of the department.
(2) The department may issue, and for cause limit, suspend, or revoke, a license to conduct professional boxing contests or amateur mixed martial arts fighting contests to any promoter or incorporated club formed as provided in this chapter. Every license shall be subject to the department's rules and regulations. The department may limit the number of professional boxing contests
and amateur mixed martial arts fighting contests given by any promoter or club in any city, village, or town and may reprimand a promoter or club for violating this chapter or any rule of the department.
(3) No professional boxing contest
or amateur mixed martial arts fighting contest may be conducted by any licensed club without a permit from the department. Every license shall be subject to such rules and regulations as the department prescribes. The department may reprimand clubs for violating this chapter or any rules of the department. An application for a permit shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable $300 processing fee. Every permit shall be conditioned on payment by the promoter or club to the department, within 2 business days after the event for which the permit was issued, of the following fees:
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Section
10. 444.02 (3) (a) of the statutes is created to read:
444.02 (3) (a) If the number of tickets sold for the event is less than 2,000, an event fee of $450.
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11. 444.02 (3) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
444.02 (3) (b) If the number of tickets sold for the event is less than 5,000 but more than 1,999, an event fee of $2,200 plus a gate fee equal to the lesser of 5 percent of the total amount collected by the club or promoter in gross ticket sales or $4,000.
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12. 444.02 (3) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
444.02 (3) (c) If the number of tickets sold for the event is 5,000 or more, an event fee of $4,700 plus a gate fee equal to the lesser of 5 percent of the total amount collected by the club or promoter in gross ticket sales or $12,500.
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Section
13. 444.03 of the statutes is amended to read:
444.03 Application for license; fee. No professional boxing contest or amateur mixed martial arts fighting contest may be conducted by any promoter or club except by license granted to it by the department, and no club may be licensed unless it is incorporated under the laws of Wisconsin and its membership is limited to persons who have been continuous residents in the state for at least one year. An application for a license shall be in writing, addressed to the department, and verified by the promoter or by an officer of the club. An application shall be accompanied by an annual fee of $25 in cities, villages, and towns of not more than 50,000 inhabitants, $50 in cities of over 50,000 and not more than 150,000 inhabitants, and $300 in cities of over 150,000 inhabitants when the admission is over $1 and $50 when the admission charge is $1 or less $500. The application must show that the promoter or club has entered into a valid agreement for the use of the building, amphitheater, or stadium in which contests are to be held.
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Section
14. 444.035 of the statutes is created to read:
444.035 Bond. The department shall by rule require a promoter or club conducting a professional contest or amateur mixed martial arts fighting contest to post a bond or other surety in a reasonable amount determined by the department to ensure payment of the promoter's or club's expenses in conducting the contest, including payments to contestants and to the department.
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Section
15. 444.04 of the statutes is amended to read:
444.04 Club Promoter and club reports. Within 24 hours 2 business days after a promoter or club holds a professional boxing contest or amateur mixed martial arts fighting contest, the club shall furnish to the department a written report, verified by the promoter or by one of its the club's officers under penalty of perjury, showing the number of tickets sold for the contest, the amount of gross proceeds, and all other information the department requires by rule to be included in the report. The department may limit, suspend, revoke, or assess a forfeiture to the promoter or club for failure to comply with this section or failure to provide accurate information to the department. Any forfeiture collected under this section shall be deposited in the appropriation account under s. 20.165 (1) (jm).
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Section
16. 444.06 of the statutes is amended to read:
444.06 Inspectors. The department shall appoint official "inspectors," each of whom shall receive a card authorizing the inspector to act wherever the department designates. The department may be, and at least one inspector shall be present at all professional boxing contests and all amateur mixed martial arts fighting contests and see that the rules are strictly observed. An inspector shall also be present at the counting up of the gross receipts and shall immediately mail to the department the official box-office statement received from the club. Inspectors shall be paid a per diem to be set by the department, not to exceed $25 for each day on which they are actually and necessarily engaged in the performance of their duties, and shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The department may require a promoter or club to pay the cost of designating additional inspectors, who may include a referee or judge performing the duties of an inspector, for an event. The department may require a promoter or club to pay the department an amount not to exceed $250 for each additional inspector designated by the department.
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17. 444.09 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
444.09 (title) Conduct of boxing contests regulated.
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18. 444.09 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
444.09 (1) No professional boxing contest shall be for more than 10 12 rounds except that where a championship is to be determined, the contest shall not be for more than 15 rounds, and no round shall last more than 3 minutes.
111,19
Section
19. 444.09 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
444.09 (3) Gloves weighing not less than 5 8 ounces shall be worn by contestants who are in professional boxing contests and who weigh under 140 pounds, and not less than 6 10 ounces by other contestants in boxing contests.
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Section
20. 444.09 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:
444.09 (6) Contestants in professional boxing contests shall break clean, and must not hold and hit. Butting with head or shoulders, wrestling, or illegal use of elbows shall not be allowed by contestants in professional boxing contests. There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of the contestants. This includes the use of abusive or insulting language.
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21. 444.09 (8) of the statutes is repealed.
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22. 444.09 (9) of the statutes is created to read:
444.09 (9) Except as otherwise specified in this chapter, boxing contests shall be conducted under the Association of Boxing Commissions' uniform boxing rules.
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Section
23. 444.095 of the statutes is created to read:
444.095 Conduct of mixed martial arts fighting contests regulated. (1) No individual may be a contestant in an amateur mixed martial arts fighting contest unless the individual can provide evidence that he or she is covered by adequate health insurance.
(2) No promoter or club may conduct a mixed martial arts fighting contest unless all of the following apply:
(a) There is present at least one referee who is licensed by the department and at least 3 judges who are licensed by the department.
(b) A physician examines each contestant immediately before and after each match in which the contestant participates.
(c) A physician is present during each match to provide emergency care in the event of an injury.
(d) An ambulance and emergency medical services personnel with oxygen are present on the premises and equipped to transport an injured contestant.
(3) The department shall promulgate rules that establish all of the following with respect to mixed martial arts fighting contests:
(a) Qualifications and fees for licensure of referees and judges for mixed martial arts fighting contests.
(b) Requirements for regular health examinations of mixed martial arts fighting contestants, including all of the following:
1. Annual physical examinations by physicians and annual eye examinations by physicians who are board-certified ophthalmologists.
2. Annual screening for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
3. For female contestants, pregnancy tests before contests.
(c) Policies prohibiting contestants from using drugs, including anabolic steroids, and mandating drug testing of contestants.
(4) Except as otherwise specified in this chapter, mixed martial arts fighting contests shall be conducted under the Association of Boxing Commissions' uniform rules of mixed martial arts.
111,24
Section
24. 444.10 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
444.10 (title) Physician to examine professional boxing contestants.
