Rpld Chap 912 of 1920; ren Art 40 §§900 & 901 to be Art 43 §§1200 & 1201, add Art 41 §§1000 - 1022, Gen Bus
L; amd §§451, 452, 1105 & 1820, Art 19 head, Tax L; amd §106, ABC L
 
Establishes protocols for combative sports; authorizes mixed martial arts events in this state; establishes procedures for applications for licenses; establishes penalties for violations; imposes taxes on gross receipts of such events.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
5949--A
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 12, 2015
___________
Introduced by Sens. GRIFFO, GOLDEN, PARKER, AVELLA, CROCI, FUNKE, KENNE-
DY, MARTINS, MURPHY, PANEPINTO, RITCHIE -- read twice and ordered
printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules --
committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and
recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the general business law, the tax law, and the alcoholic
beverage control law, in relation to authorized combative sports; and
to repeal chapter 912 of the laws of 1920, relating to the regulation
of boxing, sparring, and wrestling
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Chapter 912 of the laws of 1920 relating to the regulation
2 of boxing, sparring, and wrestling is REPEALED.
3 § 2. Article 40 and sections 900 and 901 of the general business law,
4 as renumbered by chapter 407 of the laws of 1973, are renumbered article
5 43 and sections 1200 and 1201, respectively, and a new article 41 is
6 added to read as follows:
7 ARTICLE 41
8 COMBATIVE SPORTS
9 Section 1000. Definitions.
10 1001. Combative sports authorized.
11 1002. Combative sports prohibited.
12 1003. State athletic commission.
13 1004. Jurisdiction of the commission.
14 1005. Officers and employees of the commission.
15 1006. Sanctioning entities.
16 1007. Licenses; general provisions.
17 1008. Licenses; judges.
18 1009. Licenses; entities.
19 1010. Licenses; professionals.
20 1011. Temporary working permits.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05199-08-5
S. 5949--A 2
1 1012. Temporary training facilities.
2 1013. Medical advisory board.
3 1014. Regulation of authorized professional combative sports.
4 1015. Conduct of authorized professional combative sports.
5 1016. Required filings.
6 1017. Professional wrestling; promoters.
7 1018. Prohibited conduct.
8 1019. Penalties.
9 1020. Subpoenas by commission; oaths.
10 1021. Exceptions.
11 1022. Disposition of receipts.
12 § 1000. Definitions. As used in this article: 1. "Amateur" means any
13 participant in a combative sport authorized pursuant to this article who
14 is not receiving or competing for, and who has never received or
15 competed for, any purse, money, prize, pecuniary gain, or other thing of
16 value exceeding seventy-five dollars or the allowable amount established
17 by the authorized amateur sanctioning entity overseeing the competition.
18 2. "Authorized sanctioning entity" means an entity allowed to oversee
19 and conduct combative sports pursuant to regulations promulgated by the
20 commission.
21 3. "Combative sport" means any unarmed bout, contest, competition,
22 match, or exhibition undertaken to entertain an audience, wherein the
23 participants primarily grapple or wrestle, or deliver blows of any kind
24 to, or use force in any way to manipulate, the body of another partic-
25 ipant, and wherein the outcome and score depend entirely on such activ-
26 ities.
27 4. "Commission" means the state athletic commission as provided for in
28 section one thousand three of this article, or an agent or employee of
29 the state athletic commission acting on its behalf.
30 5. "Mixed martial arts" means a combative sport wherein the rules of
31 engagement do not limit the participants to a single, systematic, fight-
32 ing discipline.
33 6. "Professional" means any participant in a combative sport author-
34 ized pursuant to this article, other than an amateur, who is receiving
35 or competing for, or who has ever received or competed for, any purse,
36 money, prize, pecuniary gain, or other thing exceeding seventy-five
37 dollars in value.
38 § 1001. Combative sports authorized. Combative sports conducted under
39 the supervision of the commission, under the supervision of an author-
40 ized sanctioning entity, or as provided for in section one thousand
41 twenty-one of this article, are hereby authorized. Authorized combative
42 sports include, amateur and professional boxing, wrestling, sparring,
43 kick boxing, single discipline martial arts and mixed martial arts,
44 pursuant to the provisions of this article.
45 § 1002. Combative sports prohibited. 1. The conduct of combative
46 sports outside the supervision of the commission or an authorized sanc-
47 tioning entity is prohibited.
48 2. A person advances a prohibited combative sport when, acting other
49 than as a spectator, he or she engages in conduct which materially aids
50 any unauthorized combative sport. Such conduct includes but is not
51 limited to conduct directed toward the creation, establishment or
52 performance of a prohibited combative sport, toward the acquisition or
53 maintenance of premises, paraphernalia, equipment or apparatus therefor,
54 toward the solicitation or inducement of persons to attend or partic-
55 ipate therein, toward the actual conduct of the performance thereof,
56 toward the arrangement of any of its financial or promotional phases, or
S. 5949--A 3
1 toward any other phase of a prohibited combative sport. One advances a
2 prohibited combative sport when, having substantial proprietary or other
3 authoritative control over premises being used with his or her knowledge
4 for purposes of a prohibited combative sport, he or she permits such to
5 occur or continue or makes no effort to prevent its occurrence or
6 continuation.
7 3. A person profits from a prohibited combative sport when he or she
8 accepts or receives money or other property with intent to participate
9 in the proceeds of a prohibited combative sport, or pursuant to an
10 agreement or understanding with any person whereby he or she partic-
11 ipates or is to participate in the proceeds of a prohibited combative
12 sport.
13 § 1003. State athletic commission. 1. The state athletic commission,
14 as named by chapter nine hundred twelve of the laws of nineteen hundred
15 twenty, as amended by chapter six hundred three of the laws of nineteen
16 hundred eighty-one, is continued as a division of the department of
17 state. The commission shall act in the best interests of combative
18 sports. The commission is enacted to protect the health, safety and
19 general welfare of all participants in combative sports and spectators
20 thereof, to preserve the integrity of combative sports through the means
21 of licensing, oversight, enforcement and the authorization of sanction-
22 ing entities, and to facilitate the development and responsible conduct
23 of combative sports throughout the entire state. The commission shall
24 consist of five members who shall be appointed by the governor by and
25 with the advice and consent of the senate. The governor shall designate
26 one of the members as chairperson of the commission. The members of the
27 commission shall be appointed for terms of three years. Any vacancy in
28 the membership of the commission caused otherwise than by expiration of
29 term shall be filled only for the balance of the term of the member in
30 whose position the vacancy occurs.
31 2. The commissioners shall be paid their actual and necessary travel-
32 ing and other expenses incurred by them in the performance of their
33 official duties. The members of the commission shall adopt a seal for
34 the commission, and make such rules for the administration of their
35 office, not inconsistent herewith, as they may deem expedient; and they
36 may amend or abrogate such rules. Three of the members of the commission
37 shall constitute a quorum to do business; and the concurrence of a
38 majority of the commissioners present shall be necessary to render a
39 determination by the commission. The commission is vested with the
40 authority to adopt such rules and regulations as necessary to effectuate
41 the provisions of this article.
42 § 1004. Jurisdiction of the commission. The commission shall have and
43 is hereby vested with the sole direction, management, control and juris-
44 diction over: 1. all authorized combative sports;
45 2. all licenses or permits granted by the commission to any and all
46 persons or entities who participate in authorized combative sports;
47 3. all determinations regarding the authorization of amateur and
48 professional sanctioning entities;
49 4. all gyms, clubs, training camps and other organizations that main-
50 tain training facilities to prepare persons for participation in author-
51 ized professional combative sports;
52 5. the promotion of professional wrestling exhibitions to the extent
53 provided for in this article; and
54 6. all contracts directly related to the conduct of authorized profes-
55 sional combative sports in the state of New York.
56 7. All disclosures to the commission shall be deemed confidential.
S. 5949--A 4
1 § 1005. Officers and employees of the commission. The secretary of
2 state may appoint, and at his or her pleasure remove, an executive
3 director, deputies, officers, inspectors, physicians and any such other
4 employees as may be necessary to administer the provisions of this arti-
5 cle and fix their salaries within the amount appropriated therefor.
6 § 1006. Sanctioning entities. 1. The commission shall promulgate regu-
7 lations establishing a process by which entities may be recognized and
8 approved by the commission as authorized sanctioning entities for a
9 period of time to be established by the commission, during which the
10 entity will be allowed to oversee and conduct combative sports within
11 the state of New York. The commission may, in its reasonable discretion,
12 limit the scope of any recognition and approval of a sanctioning entity
13 to the oversight and conduct of one or more specific combat disciplines,
14 amateur or professional combative sports, or to any combination of the
15 foregoing based on the qualifications, integrity and history of the
16 entity seeking authorization as a sanctioning entity.
17 2. The commission shall evaluate factors including but not limited to:
18 (a) the entity's stated mission and primary purpose;
19 (b) whether the entity requires participants in combative sports to
20 use hand, foot and groin protection;
21 (c) whether the entity has an established set of rules that requires
22 the immediate termination of any combative sport when any participant
23 has endured severe punishment or is in danger of suffering serious phys-
24 ical injury; and
25 (d) whether the entity has established protocols to effectuate the
26 appropriate and timely medical treatment of injured persons.
27 § 1007. Licenses; general provisions. 1. Except as otherwise provided
28 in sections one thousand six, one thousand eleven, and one thousand
29 seventeen of this article, with respect to all authorized professional
30 combative sports in this state, all corporations, entities, persons,
31 referees, judges, match-makers, timekeepers, professionals, and their
32 managers, trainers, and seconds shall be licensed by the commission. No
33 such corporation, entity or person shall be permitted to participate,
34 either directly or indirectly, in any authorized professional combative
35 sport, or the holding thereof, or the operation of any training facility
36 providing contact sparring maintained either exclusively or in part for
37 the use of professional boxers or professional mixed martial arts
38 participants, unless such corporation or persons shall have first
39 procured a license from the commission. The commission shall establish
40 by rule and regulation licensing standards for all licensees.
41 2. Every application for a license shall be in a form prescribed by
42 the commission, shall be addressed to the commission, shall be
43 subscribed by the applicant, and affirmed by him or her as true under
44 the penalties of perjury, and shall set forth such facts as the
45 provisions hereof and the rules and regulations of the commission may
46 require.
47 3. (a) The commission shall establish reasonable fees, terms and
48 renewal terms for licenses, permits and other authorizations issued
49 pursuant to this article, provided, however, that all terms, renewal
50 terms and fees in effect pursuant to chapter nine hundred twelve of the
51 laws of nineteen hundred twenty, and any subsequent amendments thereto,
52 immediately prior to the enactment of this article, shall remain fixed
53 at their prior statutory levels for a period of two years from enactment
54 of this article. The commission shall publish all fees, including the
55 aforementioned, in a single location on its website. All fees set by the
S. 5949--A 5
1 commission pursuant to this section shall be subject to the approval of
2 the director of the budget.
3 (b) With respect to the fees established by the commission pursuant to
4 paragraph (a) of this subdivision, when such fees are payable in
5 relation to authorized combative sports constituting mixed martial arts,
6 the following shall apply:
7 (i) by promoters, for contests held where the seating capacity is not
8 more than two thousand five hundred, the promoter shall pay not more
9 than five hundred dollars;
10 (ii) by promoters, for contests held where the seating capacity is
11 greater than two thousand five hundred, but not more than five thousand,
12 the promoter shall pay not more than one thousand dollars;
13 (iii) by promoters, for contests held where the seating capacity is
14 greater than five thousand, but not more than fifteen thousand, the
15 promoter shall pay not more than one thousand five hundred dollars;
16 (iv) by promoters, for contests held where the seating capacity is
17 greater than fifteen thousand, but not more than twenty-five thousand,
18 the promoter shall pay not more than two thousand five hundred dollars;
19 (v) by promoters, for contests held where the seating capacity is
20 greater than twenty-five thousand, the promoter shall pay not more than
21 three thousand dollars;
22 (vi) for referees and judges, not more than one hundred dollars;
23 (vii) for professional participants, managers and trainers not more
24 than fifty dollars; and
25 (viii) for chief seconds, not more than forty dollars.
26 4. Any license, temporary work permit or other authorization issued
27 under the provisions of this article may be revoked or suspended by the
28 commission when the licensee, permittee or authorized entity has, in the
29 judgment of the commission, violated any provision of this article, rule
30 or order of the commission, demonstrated conduct detrimental to the
31 interests of authorized combative sports generally or to the public
32 interest, or when the commission deems it to be in the best interests of
33 the health and safety of the licensee.
34 (a) Any licensee who suffered a knockout or technical knockout in a
35 combative sport may, upon the recommendation of the attending commission
36 physician, be suspended by the commission, for a period determined by
37 the commission, and shall forfeit his or her license to the commission
38 during such period. Such license shall not be returned to the licensee
39 until he or she has met all requirements, medical and otherwise, for
40 reinstatement of such license. All such suspensions shall be recorded in
41 his or her license by a commission official.
42 (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if any other state
43 shall revoke a licensee's license to compete in combative sports in that
44 state, then the commission may act to revoke any license issued to such
45 licensee pursuant to the provisions of this article.
46 § 1008. Licenses; judges. 1. Except as otherwise provided in sections
47 one thousand six and one thousand seventeen of this article, only a
48 person licensed by the commission, as a combative sports judge, may
49 judge an authorized professional combative sport within the state. Judg-
50 es for any authorized professional combative sport under the jurisdic-
51 tion of the commission shall be selected by the commission from a list
52 of qualified licensed judges maintained by the commission.
53 2. Any participant in a professional combative sport or his or her
54 manager may protest the assignment of a judge to a contest and the
55 participant or manager may be heard by the commission or its designee if
S. 5949--A 6
1 such protest is timely. If the protest is untimely it shall be summarily
2 rejected.
3 3. Each person seeking to be licensed as a judge by the commission
4 shall be required to submit to or provide proof of an eye examination
5 and annually thereafter on the anniversary of the issuance of the
6 license. The commission shall establish continuing education programs
7 and requirements to be completed by licensed judges. Each judge must be
8 certified as having completed a training program as approved by the
9 commission and shall pass an examination approved by the commission.
10 4. Each person seeking a license to judge authorized professional
11 combative sports in the state shall be required to fill out a financial
12 questionnaire certifying under penalty of perjury full disclosure of the
13 judge's financial situation on a questionnaire to be promulgated by the
14 commission. Such questionnaire shall be in a form and manner approved
15 by the commission and shall provide information as to areas of actual or
16 potential conflict of interest as well as appearances of such conflicts,
17 including financial responsibility. Within forty-eight hours of any
18 match, each judge of a professional combative sport shall file with the
19 commission a financial disclosure statement in such form and manner as
20 shall be acceptable to the commission.
21 § 1009. Licenses; entities. 1. (a) Except as otherwise provided in
22 sections one thousand six and one thousand seventeen of this article,
23 only entities licensed by the commission may conduct an authorized
24 professional combative sport within the state. The commission may, in
25 its discretion, issue a license to conduct or hold authorized profes-
26 sional combative sports, subject to the provisions hereof, to any person
27 or corporation duly incorporated, or limited liability company author-
28 ized, under the laws of the state of New York.
29 (b) A prospective licensee must submit to the commission proof that it
30 can furnish suitable premises, as determined by the commission, in which
31 such combative sport is to be held.
32 (c) Upon written application the commission may grant to any entity
33 holding a license issued hereunder, the privilege of holding such a
34 match or exhibition on a specified date in other premises, or in another
35 location, than the premises or location previously approved by the
36 commission, subject however to approval of the commission and the rules
37 and regulations of the commission.
38 2. (a) The commission may, in its discretion and in accordance with
39 regulations adopted by the commission to protect the health and safety
40 of professionals in training, issue a license to operate a training
41 facility providing contact sparring maintained either exclusively or in
42 part for the use of professional combative sports participants. At a
43 minimum, any such regulation shall require:
44 (i) first aid materials to be stored in an accessible location on the
45 premises and for the presence on the premises of a person trained and
46 certified in the use of such materials and procedures for cardio-pulmo-
47 nary resuscitation at all times during which the facility is open for
48 training purposes;
49 (ii) clean and sanitary bathrooms, shower rooms, and locker rooms;
50 (iii) adequate ventilation and lighting of accessible areas of the
51 training facility;
52 (iv) establishment of a policy concerning the restriction of smoking
53 in training areas, including provisions for its enforcement by the
54 facility operator;
55 (v) compliance with state and local fire ordinances;
S. 5949--A 7
1 (vi) inspection and approval of surfaces on which training for comba-
2 tive sports will be held; and
3 (vii) establishment of a policy for posting all commission license
4 suspensions and license revocations received from the commission includ-
5 ing provisions for enforcement of such suspensions and revocations by
6 the facility operator.
7 (b) A prospective entity licensee shall submit to the commission proof
8 that it can furnish suitable facilities in which the training is to be
9 conducted, including the making of such training facilities available
10 for inspection by the commission at any time during which training is in
11 progress.
12 § 1010. Licenses; professionals. 1. Except as otherwise provided in
13 sections one thousand six, one thousand eleven and one thousand seven-
14 teen of this article, only persons licensed by the commission shall
15 compete in authorized professional combative sports.
16 2. Any professional applying for a license or renewal of a license to
17 participate in combative sports under this article shall undergo a
18 comprehensive physical examination including clinical neurological exam-
19 inations by a physician approved by the commission. If, at the time of
20 such examination, there is any indication of brain injury, or for any
21 other reason the physician deems it appropriate, the professional shall
22 be required to undergo further neurological examinations by a neurolo-
23 gist including magnetic resonance imaging or other medically equivalent
24 procedures. The commission shall not issue a license to a professional
25 until such examinations are completed and reviewed by the commission.
26 The results of all such examinations herein required shall become a part
27 of the professional's permanent medical record as maintained by the
28 commission. The costs of all such examinations for professional boxers
29 shall be assumed by the state if such examinations are performed by a
30 physician or neurologist approved by the commission; the costs of all
31 such examinations for professional mixed martial arts participants shall
32 be assumed by the applicant or promoter with which the professional
33 mixed martial arts participant is affiliated, regardless of provider.
34 3. Any professional licensed under this article shall, as a condition
35 of licensure, waive right of confidentiality of medical records relating
36 to treatment of any physical condition which relates to his or her abil-
37 ity to fight. All medical reports submitted to, and all medical records
38 of the medical advisory board or the commission relative to the physical
39 examination or condition of professionals shall be considered confiden-
40 tial, and shall be open to examination only to the commission or its
41 authorized representative, to the licensed professional or manager upon
42 written application to examine said records, or upon the order of a
43 court of competent jurisdiction in an appropriate case.
44 § 1011. Temporary working permits. The commission may issue temporary
45 working permits to professionals, their managers, trainers and seconds.
46 A temporary working permit shall authorize the employment of the holder
47 of such permit to engage in a single authorized professional combative
48 sport at a specified time and place. The commission may require that
49 professionals applying for temporary working permits undergo a physical
50 examination and neurological test or procedure, including magnetic reso-
51 nance imaging or medically equivalent procedure. Temporary working
52 permits shall expire upon the completion of the single authorized
53 professional combative sport and any subsequent evaluations or
54 inspections required by the commission. The fee for such temporary
55 working permit shall be established by the commission pursuant to rule.
S. 5949--A 8
1 § 1012. Temporary training facilities. The commission in its judgment
2 may exempt from licensing under this article any training facility
3 providing contact sparring established and maintained on a temporary
4 basis for the purpose of preparing professionals for a specific author-
5 ized combative sport to be conducted, held or given within the state of
6 New York.
7 § 1013. Medical advisory board. 1. The medical advisory board created
8 pursuant to chapter nine hundred twelve of the laws of nineteen hundred
9 twenty, and subsequent amendments thereto is hereby continued without
10 interruption. It shall remain a division of the state athletic commis-
11 sion, and shall consist of nine members to be appointed by the governor.
12 The governor shall designate one of such members as chairperson of the
13 advisory board. The term of a member thereafter appointed, except to
14 fill a vacancy, shall be three years from the expiration of the term of
15 his predecessor. Upon the appointment of a successor to the chairperson
16 of the advisory board, the governor shall designate such successor or
17 other member of the advisory board as chairperson. A vacancy occurring
18 otherwise than by expiration of term, shall be filled by appointment by
19 the governor for the remainder only of the term. Each member of the
20 advisory board shall be duly licensed to practice medicine in the state
21 of New York, and at the time of his or her appointment have had at least
22 five years' experience in the practice of his or her profession. The
23 members of the advisory board shall receive such compensation as may be
24 fixed by the commission within the amount provided by appropriation, and
25 shall be allowed and paid necessary traveling and other expenses
26 incurred by them, respectively, in the performance of their duties here-
27 under.
28 2. The advisory board shall have power and it shall be the duty of the
29 board to prepare and submit to the commission for approval regulations
30 and standards for the physical examination of professionals including,
31 without limitation, pre-fight and post-fight examinations and periodic
32 comprehensive examinations. The board shall continue to serve in an
33 advisory capacity to the commission and from time to time prepare and
34 submit to the commission for approval, such additional regulations and
35 standards of examination as in their judgment will safeguard the phys-
36 ical welfare of professionals licensed by the commission. The advisory
37 board shall recommend to the commission from time to time such qualified
38 physicians, who may be designated and employed by the commission for the
39 purpose of conducting physical examinations of professionals and other
40 services as the rules of the commission shall provide. Such physicians,
41 if so employed, shall receive compensation as fixed by the commission
42 within amounts appropriated therefor. The provisions of section seven-
43 teen of the public officers law shall apply to any physician who:
44 (a) is designated and employed by the commission; and
45 (b) is rendering professional services on behalf of the commission to
46 professionals.
47 3. The advisory board shall develop or recommend appropriate medical
48 education programs for all commission personnel involved in the conduct
49 of authorized combative sports so that such personnel can recognize and
50 act upon evidence of potential or actual adverse medical indications in
51 a participant prior to, during or after the course of a match.
52 4. The advisory board shall review the credentials and performance of
53 each commission physician on an annual basis.
54 5. The advisory board shall advise the commission on any study of
55 equipment, procedures or personnel which will, in their opinion, promote
56 the safety of professionals.
S. 5949--A 9
1 § 1014. Regulation of authorized professional combative sports. The
2 commission shall promulgate regulations governing the conduct of author-
3 ized professional combative sports that:
4 1. establish parameters and limitations on weights and classes of
5 professionals;
6 2. establish parameters and limitations on the number and duration of
7 rounds;
8 3. establish the requirements for the presence of medical equipment,
9 medical personnel, an ambulance, other emergency apparatus and an emer-
10 gency medical plan;
11 4. establish responsibilities of all licensees before, during and
12 after an event;
13 5. define unsportsmanlike practices;
14 6. establish conditions for the forfeiture of any prize, remuneration
15 or purse, or any part thereof based on the conduct of professionals,
16 their managers and seconds;
17 7. establish parameters and standards for required and allowed equip-
18 ment items utilized by professionals;
19 8. establish parameters and standards for rings, combat surfaces and
20 appurtenances thereto; and
21 9. establish such other rules and conditions as are necessary to
22 effectuate the commission's purpose.
23 § 1015. Conduct of authorized professional combative sports. 1. All
24 buildings or structures used or intended to be used for conducting
25 authorized professional combative sports shall be properly ventilated
26 and provided with fire exits and fire escapes, and in all manner conform
27 to the laws, ordinances and regulations pertaining to buildings in the
28 city, town or village where situated.
29 2. No person under the age of eighteen years shall participate in any
30 authorized professional combative sports, and no person under sixteen
31 years of age shall be permitted to attend thereat as a spectator,
32 provided, however, that a person under the age of sixteen may be permit-
33 ted to attend as a spectator if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
34 3. Except as otherwise provided in sections one thousand six and one
35 thousand seventeen of this article, at each authorized professional
36 combative sport, except where conducted solely for training purposes,
37 there shall be in attendance a duly licensed referee who shall direct
38 and control the same. There shall also be in attendance, except where
39 conducted solely for training purposes, three duly licensed judges who
40 shall at the termination of each such authorized professional combative
41 sport render their decision. The winner shall be determined in accord-
42 ance with a scoring system prescribed by the commission.
43 4. Except as otherwise provided in sections one thousand six and one
44 thousand seventeen of this article, the commission shall direct an
45 employee of the commission to be present at each place where authorized
46 professional combative sports are to be conducted. Such employee of the
47 commission shall ascertain the exact conditions surrounding such author-
48 ized professional combative sport and make a written report of the same
49 in the manner and form prescribed by the commission. Where authorized
50 professional combative sports are approved to be held in a state or city
51 owned armory, the provision of the military law in respect thereto must
52 be complied with.
53 5. Except as otherwise provided in sections one thousand six and one
54 thousand seventeen of this article, any ring or combat surface must be
55 inspected and approved by the commission prior to the commencement of
56 any authorized professional combative sport.
S. 5949--A 10
1 6. Except as otherwise provided in sections one thousand six and one
2 thousand seventeen of this article, all professionals must be examined
3 by a physician designated by the commission before entering the ring or
4 combat surface and each such physician shall immediately file with the
5 commission a written report of such examination. The cost of any such
6 examination, as prescribed by a schedule of fees established by the
7 commission, shall be paid by the corporation conducting the authorized
8 professional combative sport to the commission. It shall be the duty of
9 every person or corporation licensed to conduct an authorized profes-
10 sional combative sport, to have in attendance at every authorized
11 professional combative sport, at least one physician designated by the
12 commission as the rules shall provide. The commission may establish a
13 schedule of fees to be paid by the licensee to cover the cost of such
14 attendance.
15 7. The physician shall terminate any authorized professional combative
16 sport if in the opinion of such physician any professional has received
17 severe punishment or is in danger of serious physical injury. In the
18 event of any serious physical injury, such physician shall immediately
19 render any emergency treatment necessary, recommend further treatment or
20 hospitalization if required, and fully report the entire matter to the
21 commission within twenty-four hours and if necessary, subsequently ther-
22 eafter. Such physician may also require that the injured professional
23 and his or her manager remain in the ring or on the premises or report
24 to a hospital after the contest for such period of time as such physi-
25 cian deems advisable. Any professional licensed under this article
26 rendered unconscious or suffering head trauma as determined by the
27 attending physician shall be immediately examined by the attending
28 commission physician and shall be required to undergo neurological exam-
29 inations by a neurologist including but not limited to magnetic reso-
30 nance imaging or medically equivalent procedure.
31 8. Such physician may enter the ring at any time during an authorized
32 professional combative sport and may terminate the match if in his or
33 her opinion the same is necessary to prevent severe punishment or seri-
34 ous physical injury to a professional.
35 9. Before a license shall be granted to a person or corporation to
36 conduct an authorized professional combative sport, the applicant shall
37 execute and file with the secretary of state a bond in an amount to be
38 determined by the commission, to be approved as to form and sufficiency
39 of sureties thereon by the secretary of state, conditioned for the
40 faithful performance by said corporation of the provisions of this arti-
41 cle and the rules and regulations of the commission, and upon the filing
42 and approval of said bond the secretary of state shall issue to said
43 applicant a certificate of such filing and approval, which shall be, by
44 said applicant, filed in the office of the commission with its applica-
45 tion for license, and no such license shall be issued until such certif-
46 icate shall be filed. In case of default in such performance, the
47 commission may impose upon the delinquent a penalty in the sum of not
48 more than one thousand dollars for each offense, which may be recovered
49 by the attorney-general in the name of the people of the state of New
50 York in the same manner as other penalties are recovered by law; any
51 amount so recovered shall be paid into the treasury.
52 10. In addition to the bond required by subdivision nine of this
53 section, each applicant for a license to conduct an authorized profes-
54 sional combative sport shall execute and file with the secretary of
55 state a bond in an amount to be determined by the commission to be
56 approved as to form and sufficiency of sureties thereon by the secretary
S. 5949--A 11
1 of state, conditioned for and guaranteeing the payment of professionals'
2 and professional wrestlers' purses, salaries of club employees licensed
3 by the commission, and the legitimate expenses of printing tickets and
4 all advertising material.
5 11. All persons, parties or corporations having licenses as promoters
6 or who are licensed in accordance with section one thousand seventeen of
7 this article shall continuously provide accident insurance or such other
8 form of financial guarantee deemed acceptable by the commission, for the
9 protection of licensed professionals and professional wrestlers, appear-
10 ing in authorized professional combative sports or wrestling exhibi-
11 tions. Such accident insurance or financial guarantee shall provide
12 coverage to the licensed professional for: medical, surgical and hospi-
13 tal care, with a minimum limit of fifty thousand dollars for injuries
14 sustained while participating in any program operated under the control
15 of such licensed promoter and for a payment of fifty thousand dollars to
16 the estate of any deceased athlete where such death is occasioned by
17 injuries received in this state during the course of a program in which
18 such licensed professional or professional wrestler participated under
19 the promotion or control of any licensed promoter; and, medical, surgi-
20 cal and hospital care with a minimum limit of one million dollars for
21 the treatment of a life-threatening brain injury sustained in a program
22 operated under the control of such licensed promoter, where an identifi-
23 able, causal link exists between the professional licensee's partic-
24 ipation in such program and the life-threatening brain injury. Where
25 applicable, professional licensees shall be afforded the option to
26 supplement the premiums for the accident insurance or financial guaran-
27 tee to increase the coverage beyond the minimum limits required by this
28 subdivision. The commission may from time to time, promulgate regu-
29 lations to adjust the amount of such minimum limits. The failure to
30 provide such insurance as is required by this subdivision shall be cause
31 for the suspension or the revocation of the license of such defaulting
32 entity.
33 12. (a) Every individual, corporation, association or club holding any
34 professional or amateur combative sport, including any professional
35 wrestling match or exhibition, for which an admission fee is charged or
36 received, shall notify the athletic commission at least ten days in
37 advance of the holding of such contest. All tickets of admission to any
38 such professional or amateur combative sport or professional wrestling
39 match or exhibition shall be procured from a printer duly authorized by
40 the state athletic commission to print such tickets and shall bear
41 clearly upon the face thereof the purchase price and location of same.
42 (b) Pursuant to direction by the commissioner of taxation and finance,
43 employees or officers of the commission shall act as agents of the
44 commissioner of taxation and finance to collect the tax imposed by arti-
45 cle nineteen of the tax law. The athletic commission shall provide the
46 commissioner of taxation and finance with such information and technical
47 assistance as may be necessary for the proper administration of such
48 tax.
49 § 1016. Required filings. 1. The organization that promotes, sanctions
50 or otherwise participates in the proposition, selection, or arrangement
51 of one or more professionals for a contest must file with the commission
52 a written statement executed under penalty of perjury stating (a) all
53 charges, expenses, fees, and costs that will be assessed against any
54 professional participating in the event; (b) all payments, benefits,
55 complimentary benefits and fees the organization or entity will receive
56 for its affiliation with the event; (c) the name of the promoter; (d)
S. 5949--A 12
1 sponsor of the event; and (e) all other sources, and such other and
2 additional information as required by the commission. Such written
3 statement shall be filed in a form and manner acceptable to the commis-
4 sion.
5 2. The promoter, organizer, producer or another that participates in
6 the proposition, selection, or arrangement of one or more professionals
7 for a contest must file with the commission a written statement under
8 penalty of perjury detailing all charges, fees, costs and expenses by or
9 through the promoter on the professional pertaining to the event,
10 including any portion of the professional's purse that the promoter will
11 receive and training expenses and all payments, gifts or benefits the
12 promoter is providing to any sanctioning organization affiliated with
13 the event. Such written statement shall be filed in a form and manner
14 acceptable to the commission.
15 3. The promoter, organizer, producer or another that participates in
16 the proposition, selection, or arrangement of one or more professionals
17 for a contest must file with the commission a copy of any agreement in
18 writing to which the promoter is a party with any professional partic-
19 ipating in the match.
20 4. All contracts calling for the services of a professional in an
21 authorized professional combative sport and entered into by licensed
22 promoters, professionals or managers as one or more of the parties in
23 such contracts, including those contracts which relate to the rights to
24 distribute, televise or otherwise transmit any authorized professional
25 combative sport over the airwaves or by cable shall be subject to the
26 approval of the commission and copies thereof shall be filed with the
27 commission by such corporation, professional or manager within forty-
28 eight hours after the execution of such contract and at least ten busi-
29 ness days prior to any bouts, or the first of any series of bouts, to
30 which they relate. The commission may waive such filing deadline for
31 good cause shown.
32 § 1017. Professional wrestling; promoters. 1. For the purposes of this
33 article, "professional wrestling" shall mean an activity in which
34 participants struggle hand-in-hand primarily for the purpose of provid-
35 ing entertainment to spectators and which does not comprise a bona fide
36 athletic contest or competition.
37 2. Every person, partnership or corporation promoting one or more
38 professional wrestling exhibitions in this state shall be required to
39 obtain from the commission an annual license to conduct such exhibitions
40 subject to terms and conditions promulgated by the commission pursuant
41 to rule and consistent with the applicable provisions of this article.
42 Each applicant shall pay an annual fee established by the commission
43 pursuant to rule.
44 3. A licensed promoter of a professional wrestling exhibition in the
45 state shall notify the athletic commission at least ten days in advance
46 of the holding of the exhibition. Each such promoter shall execute and
47 file with the comptroller a bond in an amount not less than twenty thou-
48 sand dollars to be approved as to form and sufficiency of sureties ther-
49 eon by the comptroller, conditioned for and guaranteeing the payment of
50 professional wrestler's purses, salaries of club employees licensed by
51 the commission, the legitimate expenses of printing tickets and all
52 advertising material, payments to sponsoring organizations, and the
53 applicable state and local sales and compensating use tax.
54 4. A licensed promoter of a professional wrestling exhibition shall
55 provide for a licensed physician to be present at each exhibition, and
56 such physician shall examine each wrestler prior to each performance,
S. 5949--A 13
1 and each such pre-performance examination shall be conducted in accord-
2 ance with regulations prescribed by the commission.
3 5. Every licensed promoter of professional wrestling who promotes six
4 or more exhibitions in the state in a calendar year must have in place
5 an anti-drug plan and file with the commission a written copy of the
6 plan. Each such plan shall address the use of a controlled substance
7 defined in article thirty-three of the public health law, and such plan
8 shall at minimum provide for the following:
9 (a) dissemination of educational materials to professional wrestlers
10 who perform for any such promoter including a list of prohibited drugs
11 and available rehabilitation services; and
12 (b) a referral procedure to permit any such professional wrestler to
13 obtain rehabilitation services.
14 § 1018. Prohibited conduct. 1. No corporation or person shall have,
15 either directly or indirectly, any financial interest in a professional
16 boxer competing on premises owned or leased by the corporation or
17 person, or in which such corporation or person is otherwise interested
18 except pursuant to the specific written authorization of the commission.
19 2. No contestant in a boxing or sparring match or exhibition shall be
20 paid for services before the contest, and should it be determined by the
21 commission that such contestant did not give an honest exhibition of his
22 or her skill, such services shall not be paid for.
23 3. Any person, including any corporation and the officers thereof, any
24 physician, referee, judge, timekeeper, professional, manager, trainer or
25 second, who shall promote, conduct, give or participate in any sham or
26 collusive authorized professional combative sports, shall be deprived of
27 his or her license by the commission and any other appropriate legal
28 remedies.
29 4. No licensed promoter or matchmaker shall knowingly engage in a
30 course of conduct in which fights are arranged where one professional
31 has skills or experience significantly in excess of the other profes-
32 sional so that a mismatch results with the potential of physical harm to
33 the professional.
34 § 1019. Penalties. 1. A person who knowingly advances or profits from
35 a prohibited combative sport shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor,
36 and shall be guilty of a class E felony if he or she has been convicted
37 in the previous five years of violating this subdivision.
38 2. Any person who knowingly advances or profits from a prohibited
39 combative sport shall also be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed
40 for the first violation ten thousand dollars or twice the amount of gain
41 derived therefrom whichever is greater, or for a subsequent violation
42 twenty-five thousand dollars or twice the amount of gain derived there-
43 from whichever is greater. The attorney general is hereby empowered to
44 commence judicial proceedings to recover such penalties and to obtain
45 injunctive relief to enforce the provisions of this section.
46 3. Any person or corporation who directly or indirectly conducts any
47 combative sport without first having procured an appropriate license, or
48 having been designated an authorized sanctioning entity as prescribed in
49 this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person who partic-
50 ipates in a combative sport as a referee, judge, match-maker, timekeep-
51 er, professional, manager, trainer, or second without first having
52 procured an appropriate license as prescribed in this article, or where
53 such combative sport is prohibited under this article shall be guilty of
54 a misdemeanor. Any person, partnership or corporation who promotes a
55 professional wrestling match or exhibition in the state without first
S. 5949--A 14
1 having procured an appropriate license in accordance with section one
2 thousand seventeen of this article, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
3 4. Any corporation, entity, person or persons, licensed, permitted or
4 otherwise authorized under the provisions of this article, that shall
5 knowingly violate any rule or order of the commission or any provision
6 of this article, in addition to any other penalty by law prescribed,
7 shall be liable to a civil penalty not to exceed ten thousand dollars
8 for the first offense and not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars for
9 the second and each subsequent offense, to be imposed by the commission,
10 to be sued for by the attorney-general in the name of the people of the
11 state of New York if directed by the commission. The commission, for
12 cause shown, may extend the time for the payment of such penalty and, by
13 compromise, may accept less than the amount of such penalty as imposed
14 in settlement thereof. For the purposes of this section, each trans-
15 action or statutory violation shall constitute a separate offense,
16 except that a second or subsequent offense shall not be deemed to exist
17 unless a decision has been rendered in a prior, separate and independent
18 proceeding.
19 5. On the first infraction of rules or regulations promulgated pursu-
20 ant to subdivision two of section one thousand nine of this article,
21 which infraction may include more than one individual violation, the
22 commission may impose a civil fine of up to two hundred fifty dollars
23 for each health and safety violation and may suspend the training facil-
24 ity's license until the violation or violations are corrected. On the
25 second such infraction, the commission may impose a civil fine of up to
26 five hundred dollars for each health and safety violation and may
27 suspend the training facility's license until the violation or
28 violations are corrected. On the third such infraction or for subsequent
29 infractions, the commission may impose a civil fine of up to seven
30 hundred fifty dollars for each health and safety violation and may
31 revoke the training facility's license.
32 6. Any individual, corporation, association or club failing to fully
33 comply with paragraph (a) of subdivision twelve of section one thousand
34 fifteen of this article shall be subject to a penalty of five hundred
35 dollars to be collected by and paid to the department of state. Any
36 individual, corporation, association or club is prohibited from operat-
37 ing any shows or exhibitions until all penalties due pursuant to this
38 section and taxes, interest and penalties due pursuant to article nine-
39 teen of the tax law have been paid.
40 7. All penalties imposed and collected by the commission from any
41 corporation, entity, person or persons licensed under the provisions of
42 this article, which fines and penalties are imposed and collected under
43 authority hereby vested shall within thirty days after the receipt ther-
44 eof by the commission be paid by them into the state treasury.
45 § 1020. Subpoenas by commission; oaths. The commission shall have
46 authority to issue, under the hand of its chairperson, and the seal of
47 the commission, subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses before the
48 commission. A subpoena issued under this section shall be regulated by
49 the civil practice law and rules.
50 § 1021. Exceptions. The provisions of this article except as provided
51 in subdivision twelve of section one thousand fifteen of this article
52 shall not be construed to apply to any sparring or boxing contest or
53 exhibition conducted under the supervision or the control of the New
54 York state national guard or naval militia where all of the contestants
55 are members of the active militia; nor to any such contest or exhibition
56 where the contestants are all amateurs, sponsored by and under the
S. 5949--A 15
1 supervision of any university, college, school or other institution of
2 learning, recognized by the regents of the state of New York; nor to any
3 business entity incorporated for the purposes of providing instruction
4 and evaluation in a combative sport to customers for the purposes of
5 health and fitness, personal development, self-defense or participation
6 in amateur events conducted by an authorized sanctioning entity; nor to
7 any such contest or exhibitions where the contestants are all amateurs
8 sponsored by and under the supervision of the American Olympic Associ-
9 ation or, in the case of boxing, the U.S. Amateur Boxing Federation or
10 its local affiliates or the American Olympic Association; nor except as
11 to the extent provided otherwise in this article, to any professional
12 wrestling contest or exhibition as defined in this article. Any individ-
13 ual, association, corporation or club, except elementary or high schools
14 or equivalent institutions of learning recognized by the regents of the
15 state of New York, who or which conducts an amateur contest pursuant to
16 this section must register with the U. S. Amateur Boxing Federation or
17 its local affiliates and abide by its rules and regulations.
18 § 1022. Disposition of receipts. All receipts of the commission shall
19 be paid into the state treasury, provided, however, that receipts from
20 the tax imposed by article nineteen of the tax law shall be deposited as
21 provided by section one hundred seventy-one-a of the tax law.
22 § 3. Subdivision 1 of section 451 of the tax law, as amended by
23 section 1 of part F of chapter 407 of the laws of 1999, is amended to
24 read as follows:
25 1. "Gross receipts from ticket sales" shall mean the total gross
26 receipts of every person from the sale of tickets to any [professional
27 or amateur boxing, sparring or wrestling match or exhibition] authorized
28 combative sport held in this state, and without any deduction whatsoever
29 for commissions, brokerage, distribution fees, advertising or any other
30 expenses, charges and recoupments in respect thereto.
31 § 4. Section 451 of the tax law is amended by adding a new subdivision
32 4 to read as follows:
33 4. "Authorized combative sport" shall mean any combative sport author-
34 ized pursuant to section one thousand one of the general business law.
35 § 5. Section 452 of the tax law, as amended by section 2 of part F of
36 chapter 407 of the laws of 1999, is amended to read as follows:
37 § 452. Imposition of tax. 1. On and after October first, nineteen
38 hundred ninety-nine, a tax is hereby imposed and shall be paid upon the
39 gross receipts of every person holding any professional or amateur
40 boxing, sparring or wrestling match or exhibition in this state. Such
41 tax shall be imposed on such gross receipts, exclusive of any federal
42 taxes, as follows:
43 (a) three percent of gross receipts from ticket sales, except that in
44 no event shall the tax imposed by this [subdivision] paragraph exceed
45 fifty thousand dollars for any match or exhibition;
46 (b) three percent of gross receipts from broadcasting rights, except
47 that in no event shall the tax imposed by this [subdivision] paragraph
48 exceed fifty thousand dollars for any match or exhibition.
49 2. On and after the effective date of this subdivision, a tax is here-
50 by imposed and shall be paid upon the gross receipts of every person
51 holding any authorized combative sport in this state, other than any
52 professional or amateur boxing, sparring or wrestling exhibition or
53 match, exclusive of any federal taxes as follows:
54 (a) eight and one-half percent of gross receipts from ticket sales;
55 and
S. 5949--A 16
1 (b) three percent of the sum of (i) gross receipts from broadcasting
2 rights, and (ii) gross receipts from digital streaming over the inter-
3 net, except that in no event shall such tax imposed pursuant to this
4 paragraph exceed fifty thousand dollars for any match or exhibition.
5 § 6. The article heading of article 19 of the tax law, as added by
6 chapter 833 of the laws of 1987, is amended to read as follows:
7 [BOXING AND WRESTLING EXHIBITIONS] AUTHORIZED COMBATIVE
8 SPORTS TAX
9 § 7. Paragraph 1 of subdivision (f) of section 1105 of the tax law, as
10 amended by section 100 of part A of chapter 389 of the laws of 1997, is
11 amended to read as follows:
12 (1) Any admission charge where such admission charge is in excess of
13 ten cents to or for the use of any place of amusement in the state,
14 except charges for admission to race tracks[, boxing, sparring or wres-
15 tling matches or exhibitions] or combative sports which charges are
16 taxed under any other law of this state, or dramatic or musical arts
17 performances, or live circus performances, or motion picture theaters,
18 and except charges to a patron for admission to, or use of, facilities
19 for sporting activities in which such patron is to be a participant,
20 such as bowling alleys and swimming pools. For any person having the
21 permanent use or possession of a box or seat or a lease or a license,
22 other than a season ticket, for the use of a box or seat at a place of
23 amusement, the tax shall be upon the amount for which a similar box or
24 seat is sold for each performance or exhibition at which the box or seat
25 is used or reserved by the holder, licensee or lessee, and shall be paid
26 by the holder, licensee or lessee.
27 § 8. The section heading of section 1820 of the tax law, as amended
28 by section 32 of subpart I of part V-1 of chapter 57 of the laws of
29 2009, is amended to read as follows:
30 [Boxing and wrestling exhibitions] Authorized combative sports tax.
31 § 9. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 6-c of section 106 of the alcoholic
32 beverage control law, as added by chapter 254 of the laws of 2001, is
33 amended to read as follows:
34 (b) The prohibition contained in paragraph (a) of this subdivision,
35 however, shall not be applied to any [professional match or exhibition
36 which consists of boxing, sparring, wrestling, or martial arts and which
37 is excepted from the definition of the term "combative sport" contained
38 in subdivision one of section five-a of chapter nine hundred twelve of
39 the laws of nineteen hundred twenty, as added by chapter fourteen of the
40 laws of nineteen hundred ninety-seven] authorized combative sport.
41 § 10. The department of state, with the assistance of the state
42 athletic commission, medical advisory board, departments of health and
43 financial services, state insurance fund, division of budget and such
44 other state entities as appropriate, shall carefully consider potential
45 mechanisms to provide financial resources for the payment of expenses
46 related to medical and rehabilitative care for professionals licensed
47 under article forty-one of the general business law who experience
48 debilitating brain injuries associated with repetitive head injuries
49 sustained through their participation in combative sports. The depart-
50 ment of state may consult and contract with third parties for services
51 in the course of this review. The department of state shall report its
52 findings and recommendations to the governor, temporary president of the
53 senate and speaker of the assembly within eighteen months of the effec-
54 tive date of this section. In addition to the foregoing, within twelve
55 months of the effective date of this section, the state athletic commis-
56 sion shall make any recommendations to the governor, temporary president
S. 5949--A 17
1 of the senate and speaker of the assembly regarding legislative changes
2 which may be necessary to effectuate the purpose and intent of this
3 chapter, including, but not limited to, appropriate adjustments to the
4 insurance requirements contained therein.
5 § 11. This act shall take effect on the first day of the first month
6 next succeeding the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become
7 a law and shall apply to gross receipts from combative sports held on or
8 after that date; provided, however, that the addition, amendment and/or
9 repeal of any rule or regulation of the state athletic commission neces-
10 sary for the implementation of this act on its effective date is author-
11 ized to be made on or before such effective date.