HB617 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Danny GarrettRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Alabama Athletic Commission, regulation of bare knuckle boxing added, membership of medical advisory panel revised, drug testing of competitors expanded, temporary license provided, Secs. 41-9-1021, 41-9-1023, 41-9-1024, 41-9-1027, 41-9-1028, 41-9-1029, 41-9-1030, 41-9-1031, 41-9-1032, 41-9-1033, 41-9-1034, 41-9-1035, 41-9-1036, 41-9-1037, 41-9-1038 am'd.

Summary

HB 617 would bring bare knuckle boxing under Alabama Athletic Commission regulation, update the medical advisory panel, expand drug testing, and allow temporary licenses.

What This Bill Does

It defines bare knuckle boxing and brings it under the Commission's regulation like boxing and MMA. It enlarges the medical advisory panel by adding two licensed sports medicine physicians to strengthen medical oversight. It expands drug testing for competitors following World Anti-Doping Agency guidelines, including in- and out-of-competition testing with penalties for violations. It allows the Commission to issue temporary licenses to applicants who apply less than 30 days before a scheduled event.

Who It Affects

• Fighters and competitors (bare knuckle boxers, boxers, wrestlers, and mixed martial artists) would be regulated for bare knuckle events, subject to medical oversight, drug testing, licensing, and registration requirements.
• Promoters, matchmakers, and event organizers, along with the physicians on the medical advisory panel, would face licensing/oversight requirements and expanded medical safety oversight for events.

Key Provisions

• Defines bare knuckle boxing and makes it subject to regulation by the Alabama Athletic Commission like boxing and mixed martial arts.
• Updates the medical advisory panel to include two licensed sports medicine physicians, for a total expanded panel.
• Authorizes the Commission to regulate professional bare knuckle boxing in the same way as other regulated combat sports, including safety oversight.
• Expands drug testing to follow the World Anti-Doping Agency guidelines, with in- and out-of-competition testing, secondary specimen testing if needed, and penalties up to $25,000 and up to 15 percent of the purse for violations.
• Allows the Commission to issue temporary licenses to applicants who apply for a license less than 30 days before participating in a scheduled, sanctioned event.
• Requires licensing, match permits, bonds, and registration processes for bare knuckle boxing events within the existing regulatory framework, including potential fees and enforcement.
• States that the act is exempt from Amendment 621 local expenditure requirements because it defines a new crime or amends the definition of an existing crime.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Athletic Commission