HB534 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Danny GarrettRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Athletic Commission, regulatory act renamed, authority over unarmed combat provided, certain medical and competition guidelines exempted from Administrative Procedure Act, fines for violations of rules and guidelines limited in amount, procedural process for handling violations revised, Secs. 41-9-1020, 41-9-1021, 41-9-1023, 41-9-1024, 41-9-1037, 41-9-1038 am'd.

Summary

HB534 renames Alabama's boxing and unarmed combat regulation to the Alabama Unarmed Combat Act and puts the Alabama Athletic Commission in charge of all unarmed combat in the state, with new guidelines and penalties.

What This Bill Does

It changes the regulating act's name and designates the commission as the sole regulator of unarmed combat in Alabama. It allows the commission to immediately adopt medical and competition guidelines approved by the commission without hearings under APA rules. It authorizes fines up to $10,000 per violation and updates the complaint, investigation, and discipline process for violators, along with related licensing and oversight changes.

Who It Affects

• Fighters and unarmed combat competitors (boxers, wrestlers, MMA athletes, bare knuckle fighters, tough man contestants) — subject to new licensing, medical safety rules, potential suspensions, and disciplinary actions.
• Promoters, managers, matchmakers, wrestling and other sanctioning or organizing bodies, and related personnel — required to follow commission rules, obtain licenses, possibly pay fees, and face oversight, penalties, and enforcement actions.

Key Provisions

• Renames the governing act from the Alabama Boxing, Wrestling, and Mixed Martial Arts Act to the Alabama Unarmed Combat Act and designates the Commission as the sole regulator of unarmed combat in the state.
• Authorizes immediate implementation of medical and competition guidelines approved by the commission, exempt from certain Alabama Administrative Procedure Act hearings.
• Authorizes fines up to $10,000 per violation and strengthens the complaint, investigation, and discipline framework for violators, including potential license actions and civil/enforcement mechanisms.
• Creates a six-member Alabama Athletic Commission, establishes a medical advisory panel, extends licensing and oversight powers to promoters and sanctioning organizations, and broadens regulation over all forms of unarmed combat.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Athletic Commission