SB333 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

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

SB333 renames Alabama’s athletic regulation to the Alabama Unarmed Combat Act and makes the Alabama Athletic Commission the sole regulator of all unarmed combat in the state, with new guidelines, licensing, and enforcement provisions.

What This Bill Does

Designates the Alabama Athletic Commission as the exclusive regulator of all unarmed combat in Alabama, including boxing, bare knuckle boxing, tough man contests, professional wrestling, and mixed martial arts (MMA). Allows the Commission to immediately adopt medical and competition guidelines approved by the Commission without requiring hearings, and to impose fines up to $10,000 per violation; updates the complaint, investigation, and discipline process and permits withholding of gross receipts during investigations. Creates licensing and oversight mechanisms for participants, promoters, managers, matchmakers, wrestling organizations, and other related entities; establishes a medical advisory panel to advise on safety and suspensions; authorizes various enforcement tools and penalties, including civil actions by the Attorney General and criminal offenses for violations.

Who It Affects

• Fighters and competitors (professional and amateur) in boxing, MMA, wrestling, bare knuckle boxing, and related unarmed combat, who would be regulated, licensed, medically evaluated, and potentially disciplined or fined.
• Promoters, managers, matchmakers, wrestling and boxing organizations, sanctioning bodies, and other event organizers in Alabama, who would need to comply with licensing, rules, oversight, and potential penalties or enforcement actions.

Key Provisions

• Renames the regulatory act as the Alabama Boxing, Wrestling, and Mixed Martial Arts Unarmed Combat Act and makes the Alabama Athletic Commission the sole regulator of unarmed combat in the state.
• Authorizes the Commission to immediately implement medical and competition guidelines approved by the Commission, exempting those guidelines from the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act.
• Gives the Commission authority to license participants, promoters, matchmakers, and organizations involved in unarmed combat and to impose licensing fees and other necessary fees.
• Creates a medical advisory panel (four physicians with specified specialties) to advise on medical safety and suspensions; panel members do not count toward quorum and do not vote on Commission matters.
• Empowers the Commission to issue cease and desist orders, suspend or revoke licenses, and impose administrative fines up to $10,000 per violation; provides for additional civil and criminal penalties for violations, including possible forfeiture of gross receipts during investigations and criminal classifications (Class A, B, or C) for various offenses.
• Defines key terms (e.g., unarmed combat, amateur/professional status, boxing, MMA, wrestling) and establishes jurisdiction over events held, filmed, or broadcast from Alabama; includes identification cards for boxers and a boxing registry.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Athletic Commission