SB327 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve French

Republican

Co-Sponsors

J.T. WaggonerDel MarshZeb LittleRoger Bedford, Jr.Bobby D. Singleton

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Boxing Commission, name changed to Athletic Commission, mixed martial arts, authorized and regulated, definitions, commission authorized to employ executive director, penalties, Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Act, Act 2009-622, 2009 Reg. Sess. am'd.; Secs. 41-9-1020, 41-9-1021, 41-9-1023, 41-9-1024, 41-9-1028, 41-9-1029, 41-9-1030, 41-9-1032, 41-9-1033, 41-9-1034, 41-9-1035, 41-9-1036, 41-9-1037, 41-9-1038, 41-9-1039, 41-9-1040 am'd.

Summary

SB327 renames the boxing regulator to the Alabama Athletic Commission and brings mixed martial arts under the same regulatory framework with new licensing, safety requirements, and penalties.

What This Bill Does

It replaces the Alabama Boxing Commission with the Alabama Athletic Commission and extends its authority to regulate mixed martial arts in the same way as boxing. It creates a five-member commission with specified appointment and term rules, plus a medical advisory panel. It establishes licensing, match permits, bonds, and fees for promoters, officials, and fighters, and grants the commission enforcement powers, including suspensions and penalties. It also creates a dedicated fund to carry out the act and includes a sunset provision for periodic legislative review.

Who It Affects

• Promoters, matchmakers, managers, and other staff who organize professional boxing or mixed martial arts events will need licenses, permits, bonds, and may be subject to fees and additional rules.
• Boxers and mixed martial arts competitors, along with ringside physicians, inspectors, referees, judges, timekeepers, and other medical staff, will face licensing, medical safety requirements, and potential penalties for violations.

Key Provisions

• Renames the Alabama Boxing Commission to the Alabama Athletic Commission and extends regulation to include mixed martial arts, applying boxing-style regulation to MMA.
• Defines mixed martial arts and related terms and allows the commission to regulate MMA to the same extent as boxing, with penalties for violations.
• Creates a five-member Alabama Athletic Commission with diverse representation, defined appointment sources, staggered terms, and authority to elect a chair and potentially an executive director.
• Establishes a Medical Advisory Panel to advise on medical safety, including pre-fight exams and ongoing medical concerns; panel members are medical professionals and are not counted toward quorum or voting as commission members.
• Imposes licensing requirements for promoters, officials, and participants; licenses and match permits are annual, with fees (up to $250) and required bonds; authorities to inspect and regulate events.
• Gives the commission enforcement tools, including investigations, hearings, subpoenas, and the ability to suspend or revoke licenses or permits; provisions for summary suspensions in safety-related cases.
• Imposes penalties for violations (Class C felonies for certain promoters/managers and violations by officials; Class B and Class A misdemeanors for competitors and unarmed combat; civil fines and purse penalties where applicable).
• Establishes the Alabama Athletic Commission Fund to hold receipts and pay for the commission’s activities, with funds disbursed by the state comptroller and subject to appropriation rules.
• Includes a Sunset Law provision with a termination date and periodic renewal (initially 2011, then every four years).
• Section 2 authorizes funding from the Alabama Athletic Commission Fund for the commission’s operations in future fiscal years.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Boxing Commission