SB227 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Alabama Athletic Commission, violations provided for, Class C felony

Summary

SB227 strengthens enforcement of the Alabama Unarmed Combat Act by giving the Attorney General civil enforcement power and creating criminal penalties for violations, plus new Commission enforcement tools.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows the Attorney General to file civil actions for violations of the Alabama Unarmed Combat Act. It gives the Alabama Athletic Commission authority to issue cease-and-desist orders and to suspend or revoke licenses, with civil fines up to $10,000 per violation. It creates criminal penalties: Class C felonies for certain insiders who knowingly violate the Act, Class B misdemeanors for fighters and participants who knowingly violate the Act, and Class A misdemeanors for unlicensed participation; civil fines up to $25,000 and up to 15% of purse may also apply. The act becomes effective October 1, 2024, and the bill is exempt from certain local-expenditure rules because it creates or amends crimes.

Who It Affects

• People involved in unarmed combat activities (managers, promoters, matchmakers, licensees, professional boxers and bare-knuckle boxers, tough-man contestants, professional wrestlers, amateur MMA competitors, and professional MMA competitors) would face new criminal penalties and civil fines for knowingly violating the Act.
• Alabama Athletic Commission staff and members, and others who enforce or administer the Act, would gain new investigative procedures and enforcement tools (investigative committee, cease-and-desist orders, license actions, and the ability to pursue civil or court-based remedies).

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the Attorney General to bring civil actions for violations of the Alabama Unarmed Combat Act and allows civil fines up to $10,000 per violation.
• Establishes an investigative process under the Commission, including a standing investigative committee and potential cease-and-desist orders, license suspensions or revocations, and the ability to collect fines through circuit court enforcement.
• Creates criminal penalties: Class C felonies for knowingly violating the Act by managers, promoters, matchmakers, licensees, or certain Commission personnel; Class B misdemeanors for fighters and competitors who knowingly violate the Act (excluding Section 41-9-1034); Class A misdemeanors for unlicensed participation or promotion.
• Allows civil fines up to $25,000 per violation and up to 15% of the purses for certain violations, in addition to criminal penalties.
• Provides that the Attorney General may file civil actions for relief such as injunctions or restraining orders to stop violations.
• Specifies that penalties do not repeal other criminal laws and that more serious penalties apply when applicable; enforcement can be appealed to Montgomery County Circuit Court.
• Section 2 clarifies the bill is exempt from Section 111.05 local-expenditure requirements because it creates or amends crimes.
• Section 3 states the act becomes effective October 1, 2024.

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

Subjects

Occupational Licensing Boards