SB9 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Alabama Athletic Commission, Attorney General authorized to bring action for violations, certain violations constitute Class C felony

Summary

SB9 would let the Alabama Attorney General sue for violations of the Alabama Unarmed Combat Act and adds criminal penalties for people involved in regulated combat sports.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the Attorney General to file civil actions for violations and seek relief such as injunctions. The Alabama Athletic Commission can investigate complaints, issue cease‑and‑desist orders, suspend or revoke licenses, or fine violators up to $10,000 per violation, and may petition courts to enforce orders. The bill also creates criminal penalties: certain insiders (managers, promoters, matchmakers, licensees) who knowingly violate the act face Class C felonies; commission members or staff who knowingly violate specific provisions also face Class C felonies; competitors who knowingly violate the act face Class B misdemeanors (with civil fines up to $25,000 and up to 15% of purse per violation); and unlicensed participation in unarmed combat is a Class A misdemeanor.

Who It Affects

• Managers, promoters, matchmakers, or licensees who knowingly violate the act — could be guilty of a Class C felony.
• Members or employees of the Alabama Athletic Commission or people who administer or enforce the act who knowingly violate certain provisions — could be guilty of a Class C felony.
• Professional boxers, bare-knuckle boxers, tough man contestants, professional wrestlers, amateur MMA competitors, and professional MMA competitors who knowingly violate the act — could be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor; may also face civil fines up to $25,000 and up to 15% of the purses per violation.
• Anyone participating in or promoting unarmed combat without proper authorization or licensing — could be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the Attorney General to bring civil actions for violations of the Alabama Unarmed Combat Act and to seek relief such as injunctions.
• Allows the Alabama Athletic Commission to investigate complaints, determine probable cause, and, if warranted, issue cease‑and‑desist orders, suspend/revoke licenses, or impose administrative fines up to $10,000 per violation; permits circuit court enforcement of orders and fines.
• Creates criminal penalties: Class C felony for certain violators (managers/promoters/matchmakers/licensees and certain commission personnel who knowingly violate the act or specific provisions); Class B misdemeanor for fighters and competitors who knowingly violate the act; possible civil fines up to $25,000 and up to 15% of the purse per violation; Class A misdemeanor for unlicensed participation.
• Establishes that penalties do not repeal other criminal laws and that the more serious penalty applies when multiple laws apply.
• Provides an appeal avenue for aggrieved parties to the Circuit Court of Montgomery County under the Administrative Procedure Act, and sets an effective date of October 1, 2025.

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