SB 148 Summary

• Renames the State Boxing Commission of Hawaii to the Boxing and Combat Sports Commission of Hawaii and expands its jurisdiction to regulate combat sports contests in addition to boxing.

• Establishes comprehensive regulatory framework for combat sports contests including licensing requirements for promoters, contestants, referees, judges, physicians, and other participants.

• Prohibits "no rules combat or similar contests" (contests with few restrictions using punches, kicks, chokes, joint locks and other techniques that pose unreasonable injury risk) and subjects violators to penalties up to $5,000 per violation.

• Repeals the existing Mixed Martial Arts Contests Program (Chapter 440E) and consolidates all combat sports regulation under the expanded boxing and combat sports commission.

• Increases commission membership from five to eight members, with at least one member having combat sports regulation experience, and appropriates funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to establish necessary FTE positions.