An Act To Clarify the Enforcement Role of the Mixed Martial Al1s Authority of Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1685
Committee Amendment CA_A_H753 (House)
Amends: 8 MRSA §522, 8 MRSA §523, 8 MRSA §528, 8 MRSA §531, 8 MRSA §532, 17-A MRSA §515

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to H.P. 1186, L.D. 1685, Bill, "An Act To 
Clarify the Enforcement Role of the Mixed Martial Al1s Authority of Maine" 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the 
following: 
'Sec. 1. 8 MRSA §522, sub-§7, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 352, §2, is amended to 
read: 
7. Revenue and expenditures. The board may receive revenue from mixed martial 
al1s competitions, exhibitions and events, as well as from the sale of goods and 
merchandise, in accordance with rules adopted pursuant to sections 523 and 524. The 
authority may apply for, solicit and receive grants, donations and gifts and may receive 
appropriations from the State and funds from other governmental authorities. All funds 
received must be spent solely to assist with operational expenses in furtherance of the 
purpose of the authority. The board may enter into contracts to obtain the assistance of 
staff sufficient to support operations of the board. 
Sec. 2. 8 MRSA §523, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 352, §2, is amended to read: 
§523. Powel's of authority 
In fUl1herance of its purpose, the authority shall, no later than March 1 October 15, 
2010: 
1. Rules. Adopt rules to protect the health and safety of authorized pal1icipants and 
the integrity of competition, as well as to establish a cel1ification process authorizing 
participation in a mixed mal1ial arts competition, exhibition or event and set the fee 
schedules for all authorized pal1icipants. 
A certificate authorizing pal1icipation in a 
mixed mal1ial al1s competition, exhibition or event may be issued for one year or such 
other time period as may be fixed by rule under this chapter. The board may establish 
requirements to ensure that a mixed mal1:ial al1s competition, exhibition or event is not 
conducted unless a promoter's fee has been paid and that each competitor has been 
examined by a physician who has certified the competitor's fitness to pal1icipate in the 
mixed martial al1s competition, exhibition or event. 
Rules adopted pursuant to this 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ·/t" to H.P. 1186, L.D. 1685 
subsection are routine technical rules, as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
The authority's rules must include, but are not limited to, the following: 
A. Rules of competition, weighing of pal1icipants and scoring of decisions; 
B. Length of contests and rounds; 
C. 
Availability of medical services, including a requirement that a physician be 
present during a mixed mal1ial arts competition, exhibition or event; 
D. Age limits, which must include a minimum age of not less than 18 years; 
E. Weight limits and classification of participants; 
F. Physical condition of participants; 
G. Qualifications of referees and other authorized participants; 
H. Uniforms, attire, safety gear and equipment of authorized participants; 
l. Specifications of facilities and equipment; and 
J. Requirements for health and accident insurance providing coverage in the event of 
injury or death to authorized participants. This coverage must comply with standards 
prescribed by the Superintendent of Insurance-;--aR€l~ 
2. 
Other aetion. 
Take all other lavt'ful action necessarv and incidental to its 
purposes. 
Sec. 3. 8 MRSA §528, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 352, §2, is repealed. 
Sec. 4. 8 MRS A §529 is enacted to read: 
§529. Powers of board 
1. Inspections and investigations. The board may enter and inspect the premises 
where a martial arts competition, exhibition or event is to be conducted and question 
persons present and review documents to the extent it considers necessary to determine 
whether the event is in accordance with this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter. 
2. Other action. The board may take all reasonable steps to ensure that a mixed 
martial arts competition, exhibition or event is conducted in accordance with this chapter 
and rules adopted under this chapter and take all other lawful action necessary and 
incidental to its purposes. 
Sec. 5. 8 MRS A §530 is enacted to read: 
§530. Refusal, suspension or revocation of certificate; grounds 
The board may, after notice of an opportunity for hearing in accordance with Title 5, 
chapter 375, subchapter 4, refuse to issue or renew and may suspend or revoke a 
certificate described under section 523, subsection 1. The following are grounds for an 
action to refuse to issue, suspend, revoke or refuse to renew a certificate issued under 
section 523, subsection I: 
. 
1. Fraud or deceit. The practice of fraud or deceit in obtaining a certificate under 
section 523, subsection I; 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" /} to I-J.P. )) 86, L.D. ) 685 
2. Violation of chapter or rule. Any violation of this chapter or any rule adopted 
by the authority; 
3. Failure to maintain insurance. Failure to maintain health and accident insurance 
required by section 523, subsection I, paragraph J; and 
4. Conviction of certain crimes. Conviction of a crime that involves dishonesty or 
false statement that relates directly to the practice for which the applicant is certified or 
requesting certification or that relates directly to an applicant's qualifications for a 
certificate under section 523, subsection I. The board shall consider such a conviction in 
the same manner as a licensing agency pursuant to Title 5, chapter 341. 
Sec. 6. 8 MRSA §531 is enacted to read: 
§531. Complaint investigation; confidentiality 
Complaints and investigative records of the authority relating to a violation of this 
chapter or any rule adopted by the authority are confidential to the same extent provided 
for licensing boards and commissions under Title 10, section 8003-8. 
Sec. 7. 8 MRSA §532 is enacted to read: 
§532. Fines; enforcement 
The board may, after a hearing under Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 4, impose a fine 
of not more than $500 for each violation against a person who violates this chapter or 
rules adopted pursuant to this chapter or who participates in a mixed maJiial alis 
competition, exhibition or event without the certificate described under section 523, 
subsection 1. The Attorney General may bring an action in Superior Court to enjoin a 
martial arts competition, exhibition or event from occurring for which the promoter's fee 
has not been paid or a participant who does not meet the qualifications of this chapter 
from participating in the competition, exhibition or event. 
Sec. 8. 17-A MRSA §515, sub-§2-A, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 352, §3, is 
amended to read: 
2-A. Effective March 1, 2010, this This section does not apply to any mixed maliial 
arts competition, exhibition or event authorized pursuant to Title 8, chapter 20 as long as 
rules have been adopted by the Mixed Martial Alis Authority of Maine pursuant to Title 
8, chapter 20. 
Sec. 9. Retroactivity. That section of this Act that amends the Maine Revised 
Statutes, Title 8, section 523 is retroactive to March 1, 2010,' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill, which was a concept draft. It authorizes the board 
of directors of the Mixed MaJiial Arts Authority of Maine to conduct specific inspections 
of mixed maJiial arts competitions, exhibitions or events and enhances enforcement 
mechanisms of the board. The amendment requires the authority to adopt rules regarding 
the certification process for authorized participants and a requirement that a physician be 
present during each mixed marital aJis competition, exhibition or event.· It allows the 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMI'lTEE AMENDMENT "Ii" to H.P. 1186, L.D. 1685 
board to discipline authorized participants if they fail to adhere to the rules adopted by the 
authority and allows for fines up to $500 for each violation. It extends the deadline for 
the authority to adopt rules from March 1, 2010 to October 15, 2010. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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Approved: 03/10/10 
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LD 1685 
LR 2054(02) 
An Act To Clarify the Enforcement Role of the Mixed Martial Arts Authority of Maine 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'A" 
Committee: Business, Research and Economic Development 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Minor revenue increase - General Fund 
Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Minor revenue increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
(::::orrectional and Judicial Impact Statements 
lncreases the number of civil suits. 
The collection of additional filing fees may also increase General Fund revenue by minor amounts. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Additional costs to the Mixed Mal1ial AI1s Authority of Maine associated with implementing the provisions of this 
legislation can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. Allowing for the assessment of up to $500 in fines for 
each violation of rules adopted by the board of directors of the authority will increase the amount of dedicated 
revenues received by the authority. The increase in fine revenue is not expected to be significant. 
LR2054(02) - Fiscal Note - Page I of I