SCS/SB 524 - This act modifies Chapter 317, RSMo, by adding and defining the terms "professional boxing", "professional full- contact karate", "professional kickboxing", "professional wrestling", and "sparring".

The Department of Economic Development, Division of Professional Registration, Office of Athletics, is given the authority to: 1) supervise professional boxing, professional full-contact karate, professional kickboxing and professional wrestling contests, as well as sparring contests; 2) promulgate rules; 3) assess reasonable license fees; 4) assess a 5% tax on gross receipts derived from the broadcast, television, closed-circuit television and motion picture rights for any professional boxing, sparring, professional wrestling, professional kickboxing or professional full-contact karate contests, except that a 25% tax may be imposed on ultimate fighting contests. The moneys derived from this tax are placed in the Athlete Fund; 5) require each pay-per-view operator to file a report detailing the number of orders sold and the price per order within 30 days of the telecast; 6) issue contest permits and charge reasonable fees which are placed in the Athlete Fund; 7) prohibit contests commonly referred to as "ultimate fighting" and "combative fighting"; 8) institute mandatory medical suspension and medical retirement; 9) seek court intervention to enforce the provisions of Chapter 317, RSMo; 10) investigate complaints against licensees; and 11) deny the issuance of a permit or license to an applicant for one or any combination of 13 listed reasons. The applicant can appeal the denial of the permit or license to the Administrative Hearing Commission.

This act specifically exempts amateur boxing, amateur full- contact karate, amateur kickboxing and amateur wrestling contests or exhibitions. However, all amateur boxing, amateur kickboxing, amateur wrestling and amateur full-contact karate contests must be sanctioned by a nationally recognized amateur sanctioning body approved by the Department.

The portions of the act which prohibit ultimate and combative fighting are deemed emergency provisions and therefore will immediately become law upon passage and approval.
RONALD J. LEONE