H. B. 2665


(By Delegate Eldridge)
[Introduced January 13, 2010; referred to the
Committee on Government Organization then the Judiciary.]




A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §29-5A-3a, relating to authorizing mixed martial arts competitions; and authorizing the State Athletic Commission propose rules.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §29-5A-3a, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 5A. STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION.
§29-5A-3a. Mixed martial arts competitions;

Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, mixed martial arts competitions or mixed martial arts tournaments are authorized and lawful. "Mixed martial arts" means a full contact combat sport that allows a wide variety of fighting techniques, from a mixture of martial arts traditions and nontraditions.
 The State Athletic Commission shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code.



NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to authorize mixed martial arts competitions. The State Athletic Commission has rule-making authority.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.