SENATE BILL 688

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Timothy Z. Jennings

AN ACT

RELATING TO BUSINESS LICENSES; PROHIBITING PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR MIXED MARTIAL ARTS CONTESTS; AMENDING SECTIONS OF THE PROFESSIONAL ATHLETIC COMPETITION ACT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. Section 60-2A-8.2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2007, Chapter 109, Section 2) is amended to read:

     "60-2A-8.2. JURISDICTION OF COMMISSION OVER UNARMED COMBAT CONTESTS.--

          A. The commission shall have sole direction, management, control and jurisdiction over all contests or exhibitions of unarmed combat to be conducted, held or given within New Mexico, and no contest or exhibition may be conducted, held or given within [the state] New Mexico except in accordance with the provisions of the Professional Athletic Competition Act.

          B. Any contest involving a form of Oriental unarmed self-defense must be conducted pursuant to rules for that form that are approved by the commission before the contest is conducted, held or given in [the state] New Mexico except in accordance with the provisions of the Professional Athletic Competition Act.

          C. No contest or exhibition of unarmed combat shall be conducted, held or given within New Mexico that allows:

                (1) combatants to use a variety of fighting techniques, including a mixture of martial arts techniques and nontraditional techniques; or

                (2) the use of striking and grappling techniques, both while standing and while lying on the ground."

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