SB445 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Gerald H. AllenSenator
Republican
Co-Sponsor: Gerald O. Dial
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Alabama Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Act, renamed as Alabama Boxing, Wrestling, and Mixed Martial Arts Act, wrestling included under regulation of Alabama Athletic Commission, 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 am'd
Summary: SB445 renames and expands the Alabama boxing law to include wrestling and gives the Alabama Athletic Commission authority to regulate professional wrestling the same way it regulates boxing and mixed martial arts.
What This Bill Does
It defines wrestling and authorizes regulation of professional wrestling by the Alabama Athletic Commission. The Commission would regulate wrestling to the same extent as boxing and MMA, creating uniform safety rules and oversight. The bill establishes a five-member Commission, a medical advisory panel, licensing provisions for promoters, matches, and participants, plus enforcement and penalties. It also addresses local funding concerns and sets an effective date after passage.

Who It Affects
Professional boxers, wrestlers, and mixed martial arts competitors who would be subject to licensing, medical requirements, safety rules, and ongoing oversight.
Promoters, matchmakers, managers, and wrestling/boxing/MMA organizations who must obtain licenses, post bonds, secure permits, follow commission rules, and face penalties for violations.

Key Provisions
Rename the act to the Alabama Boxing, Wrestling, and Mixed Martial Arts Act; define 'wrestling' and authorize the Alabama Athletic Commission to regulate professional wrestling the same way as boxing and MMA.
The Alabama Athletic Commission becomes the sole regulator of professional boxing, wrestling, and MMA, with authority to protect competitors' safety and closely supervise events, applying rules to wrestling where applicable.
Create a five-member Alabama Athletic Commission (with specified appointment methods and terms) and establish a medical advisory panel to advise on medical safety; authorize staff and budgeting matters.
Regulate promoters and events: require promoter licenses (annual, with fees up to $250 and performance bonds), require match permits (with application fees up to $250 and possible additional match fees), and allow oversight of sanctioned events.
License participants (referees, judges, timekeepers, matchmakers, trainers, and competitors) annually; require health-related criteria, at ringside medical presence, weigh-ins, inspectors, and health insurance; mandate ambulance and medical personnel at events.
Impose penalties for violations: civil actions by the Attorney General; criminal penalties (Class C felonies for certain violations by promoters, managers, or licensees; Class B misdemeanors and civil fines up to $25,000 plus purse percentage for others); allow summary suspensions and disciplinary actions.
Create identification requirements and registries for boxers, with IDs up to $100 and possible boxing registry; allow the Commission to regulate amateur MMA organizations as well.
Acknowledge local funding implications under Amendment 621 but state the bill is exempt due to creating a new crime or amending a crime; specify the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Alabama Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Act