STAND. COM. REP. NO. 617

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     S.B. No. 1027

        S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 1027 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMBAT SPORTS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Establish the Combat Sports Commission of Hawaii;

 

     (2)  Provide for the regulation of combat sports;

 

     (3)  Prohibit no rules combat or similar contests; and

 

     (4)  Appropriate funds for an unspecified number of full-time equivalent positions within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs for the Combat Sports Commission of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

 

     Your Committee finds that that Hawaii has embraced full—contact combat sports that allow the use of striking and grappling techniques; involve both standing and on—the—ground techniques; and blend boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu—jitsu, Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo, and other styles.  Combat sports events have drawn capacity crowds to the Blaisdell Center Arena.  Hawaii has produced multiple mixed martial arts world title fighters, both male and female, across the major certified promoting and sanctioning bodies.  Some of the most accomplished and well-known fighters from Hawaii include B.J. Penn, Max Holloway, Ray Cooper III, Travis Browne, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, Angela Lee, and others.  Despite the success of Hawaii mixed martial artists, the prestigious Ultimate Fighting Championship organization has never staged a show in Hawaii.  To continue growing the combat sports industry in the State and to attract events staged by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and other prestigious organizations, a combat sports commission should be established.

 

     Accordingly, this measure establishes the Combat Sports Commission of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee notes the concerns of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, which testified that if this measure were to be enacted into law, the Department would need at least two years to establish, recruit, and hire employees necessary to facilitate the Combat Sports Commission of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Clarifying that the members of the Combat Sports Commission of Hawaii shall have staggered terms;

 

     (2)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1027, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1027, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

 

 

 

________________________________

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair