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Senate Bans Dangerous "Ultimate Fighting" Events, Empowers Athletic Regulators
Summary
Senate Bill 43 as amended bars violent "ultimate fighting" contests and gives Utah's boxing commission and the Division of Occupational Licensing authority to adopt rules for similar contests. The Senate adopted multiple amendments and passed the measure to the House.
The Utah Senate on Feb. 10 passed an amended bill intended to prohibit dangerous "ultimate fighting" events and to give regulatory authorities rulemaking power to address related contests. Senator Fulton introduced the bill and Senator Suazo offered floor amendments that would authorize the state boxing commission and the Division of Occupational Licensing to adopt rules to regulate "tough man" style contests.
Supporters described the bill as narrowly targeted at contests in which a participant cannot defend himself and may be repeatedly damaged, saying it would not outlaw fair, rule-based wrestling or boxing matches. "This bill outlawed the kind of activity I just read where somebody is defenseless, and yet they get beat up further and knocked unconscious," a senator said in explanation of the intent.
Opponents and commentators on the floor questioned the bill's scope and whether it could unintentionally affect professional wrestling or satellite advertising, and some worried about First Amendment implications for advertising carried by cable or satellite. Sponsors said the definitions and attorney-general-requested language narrowed coverage and that publication of martial-arts magazines would not be prohibited.
Floor amendments to clarify definitions and to grant the boxing commission authority were adopted; the Senate then passed SB43 as amended by recorded tally (26 ayes, 1 nay, 2 absent) and sent it to the House for further action.
