Tennessee Athletic Commission adopts rule amendments to use Association of Boxing Commissions' unified rules and clarify promoter duties

The Tennessee Athletic Commission on March 10 adopted amendments to its rules that incorporate by reference the unified rules published by the Association of Boxing Commissions and add new promoter responsibilities for ring officials.

The action, taken at a rulemaking hearing held at Davy Crockett Tower in Nashville, included a roll-call approval of the proposed rule text, adoption of a regulatory flexibility statement, and adoption of a local-government impact statement and supporting materials required for Joint Government Operations Committee review.

The Commission's chief counsel, Jesse Gentry, told members the amended rules remove detailed, enumerated lists of fouls from the Commission's text and instead incorporate the ABC's currently accepted fouls and unified rules for boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai and mixed martial arts by reference. Gentry said that change is intended so the Commission will not need to run a separate rulemaking each time the ABC amends its fouls (for example, removing the 12-6 elbow) and to allow use of alternate rule sets the Commission approves for novel combat sports.

The amendments also add a new paragraph requiring promoters to contract for ring officials, ensure each official is aware of the rules and venue emergency procedures, and require officials to wear professional attire for contests or events. No members of the public spoke at the hearing.

By roll call, commissioners approved the rule text. The Commission also voted to adopt the regulatory flexibility addendum, which concluded the department does not anticipate the rules will impose special compliance requirements on small businesses beyond necessary safety requirements, and to adopt the statement that the rules will not have a forecasted impact on local governments. The Commission authorized staff to prepare the form (70-39) and forward the final rules to the Office of the Attorney General and the Secretary of State for review and publication; the rules will be effective after the attorney general review, a 90-day public waiting period and any positive recommendation by the Joint Government Operations Committee.

Commissioners said the amendments are intended to provide regulatory clarity and to allow the state to regulate new or modified unarmed-combat sports without frequent separate rulemakings. Members discussed outreach to industry training providers, including the ABC, so officials and promoters can identify current rules, training and optional uniform items such as an ABC polo. Jesse Gentry said the department would include such information in the notice accompanying the final rules.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to adopt the proposed rules as read (motion by Ben Grove; second by Corey Cipolla): roll-call vote — Ricky Goodrich: aye; Corey Cipolla: aye; Dan McGrew: aye; Ben Grove: aye. Outcome: approved. - Motion to adopt the regulatory flexibility answers (motion by Ben Grove; second by Dan McGrew): roll-call vote — Ricky Goodrich: aye; Ben Grove: aye; Dan McGrew: aye; Corey Cipolla: aye. Outcome: approved. - Motion to adopt the impact-on-local-governments statement (motion by Corey Cipolla; second by Ricky Goodrich): roll-call vote — Ricky Goodrich: aye; Ben Grove: aye; Dan McGrew: aye; Corey Cipoli/Cppola (recorded as Corey Cipolla): aye. Outcome: approved. - Motion to adopt supplemental information for the Joint Government Operations Committee (motion by Ben Grove; second by Ricky Goodrich): roll-call vote — Ricky Goodrich: aye; Ben Grove: aye; Dan McGrew: aye; Corey Cipolla: aye. Outcome: approved.

The Commission's counsel said staff will file the required forms with the Secretary of State and submit the rule package to the attorney general for review before publication and the 90-day period required by Tennessee Code Annotated.

Ending: The Commission closed the rulemaking hearing and moved to remaining new-business items and adjournment.