Chapter 280

2011 -- S 0623

Enacted 07/12/11

 

A N A C T

RELATING TO SPORTS, RACING AND ATHLETICS - BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

 

     Introduced By: Senators Picard, and Miller

     Date Introduced: March 10, 2011

     

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

 

     SECTION 1. Section 41-5.2-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 41-5.2 entitled "Mixed

Martial Arts" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

     41-5.2-1. Definitions. -- For the purposes of this chapter, the Terms following terms used

in this chapter shall be construed mean as follows:

      (1) "Choke holds" means any hold that impairs the flow of blood or oxygen to the brain.

There are many chokes including the rear naked choke, the guillotine, and the triangle choke;

      (2) "Cut man" means the person who helps stop the flow of blood from a fighter's cuts by

applying coagulants;

      (3) "Eye gouge" means digging the fingers in and around the opponent's eye;

      (4) "Fishhook" means hooking the fingers into an opponent's mouth, nostrils, or ears and

pulling at them;

      (5) "Foot stomps" means stomping on the opponent's feet trying to damage the instep

and fragile foot bones;

      (6) "Gi" is the Japanese term for martial arts uniform;

      (7) "Guard position" means the position where a fighter is on his back with his opponent

between his legs. While this is primarily a defensive position, many submission holds are

possible;

      (8) "Head-butt" means using the head to strike the opponent;

      (9) "Joint-lock" means and includes all locks, bars, and holds, that cause enough pain to

cause an opponent to submit. Many of these holds can result in serious injury if the opponent does

not tap out in time. A few popular submission holds are arm bars, ankle locks, knee bars, and

neck cranks;

      (10) "KO" means knock out. A fighter is knocked down and unconscious;

      (11) "Mixed martial arts" means an event that describes the convergence of techniques

from a variety of combative sports disciplines including boxing, wrestling, judo, jujitsu,

kickboxing, and others;

      (12) "Mount position" means a dominant position where a fighter straddles his opponent

on the ground;

      (13) "Mouse" means a dark swollen bruise around the eye;

      (14) "Neck crank" means any hold that impairs the flow of blood or oxygen to the brain.

There are many chokes including the rear naked choke, the guillotine, and the triangle choke;

      (15) "NHB" is a term also referred to as "no holds barred" which refers to fighting

contests with few rules;

      (16) "Reversal" means switching from being in a disadvantageous position to a superior

one;

      (17) "Submission" means when a fighter signals surrender due to a submission hold,

choke, or from strikes. The fighter can tap the mat three (3) times or submit verbally;

      (18) "Submission holds" means and includes all locks, bars, and holds that cause enough

pain to cause an opponent to submit. Many of these holds can result in serious injury if the

opponent does not tap out in time;

      (19) "Takedown" means and usually occurs when a grappler takes his opponent to the

ground;

      (20) "Weigh in" means and is used to determine a fighter's official weight for the bout

and is held up to twenty-four (24) thirty-six (36) hours prior to the event.

 

     SECTION 2. Chapter 41-5.2 of the General Laws entitled "Mixed Martial Arts" is hereby

amended by adding thereto the following section:

 

     41-5.2-27. Tax on admissions. -- (a) Every licensee holding or conducting any

professional mixed martial arts event or exhibition shall, after its conclusion, pay to the general

treasurer for the use of the state a sum equal to five percent (5%) of the total gross receipts from

the sale of tickets and from admission fees; provided, however, that every licensee holding or

conducting a professional mixed martial arts event or exhibition shall, at its conclusion, pay to the

general treasurer a sum equal to five percent (5%) of the gross receipts up to one thousand dollars

($1,000) and five percent (5%) of the balance of the gross receipts; provided, further, however,

that if the match or exhibition is conducted as an incidental feature in an event or entertainment of

a different character, the portion of the total receipts shall be paid to the state as the division of

racing and athletics may determine or as may be fixed by rule adopted under section 41-5.2-25.

Within seventy-two (72) hours after the conclusion of the match or exhibition, the licensee shall

furnish to the division a report, sworn under oath upon the pains and penalties of perjury, showing

the exact number of tickets sold and admission fees collected for the contest, and the gross

receipts thereof, and such other data as the division may require. All fees for licenses and other

income of the division shall be turned over to the general treasurer for the use of the state. No

licensee shall distribute more than fifty (50) complimentary tickets in any one event.

     (b) For each match or exhibition the division, through its inspector and upon the

conclusion of the collection of admission fees for the match or exhibition, may examine the box

office admission figures, the admission statements maintained by or on behalf of the licensee, and

such other data as the division may direct. Upon the conclusion of the match or exhibition the

licensee shall tender to the state inspector the sums mentioned in this section. Written acceptance

of the tender shall be signed by the inspector and counter-signed by the licensee or an agent of the

licensee.

 

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

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LC01314

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