Bill Text: NJ SJR13 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes "New Jersey Combative Sports Revitalization Commission."
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-12 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee [SJR13 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-SJR13-Introduced.html
No. 13
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2010 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator JOHN A. GIRGENTI
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
Senator ANTHONY R. BUCCO
District 25 (Morris)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes "New Jersey Combative Sports Revitalization Commission."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
A Joint Resolution establishing a commission to examine the revitalization of the combative sports industry in the State of New Jersey.
Whereas, Throughout the nation, New Jersey was once recognized as a leader in the combative sports industry, renown for its professional and amateur boxing, wrestling, kick boxing, and mixed martial arts exhibitions and competitions; and
Whereas, The development of this industry led to the construction and expansion of several world-class performance and entertainment arenas, which were designed to incorporate the interests of spectators as well as the needs of the athletes that participate in combative events regulated by the State Athletic Control Board; and
Whereas, Many of these landmark venues, however, have become underutilized over the past decade as the number of combative events sanctioned by the State Athletic Control Board continues to decline; and
Whereas, Although many of the arenas have the capacity and desire to host additional contests each year, the promoters, managers, and athletes of combative events have increasingly turned away from New Jersey in search of locations and venues that allow participants to compete with fewer restrictions and regulations; and
Whereas, Currently, State statutes and regulations have not only made it difficult, but also financially prohibitive, for athletes and promoters to hold combative sporting events in New Jersey; and
Whereas, As a result, New Jersey's image as a leader in combative sports has faded, and the State, local communities, and businesses that are dependent on the industry continue to lose revenue as athletes and promoters search for more desirable locations beyond our borders; and
Whereas, In order to restore New Jersey's image and recover declining revenues, it is necessary to conduct a thorough review of the State's combative sports industry, and to evaluate ways to revitalize an industry that has played a supportive role in the development of New Jersey; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. There is established a commission to be known as the "New Jersey Combative Sports Revitalization Commission." The purpose of the commission shall be to conduct a thorough review of the State's combative sports industry, and to evaluate ways to revitalize an industry that has played a supportive role in the development of New Jersey.
b. The commission shall be comprised of nine members, including:
(1) the Attorney General, or a designee, who shall serve ex officio;
(2) the Chair of the State Athletic Control Board, or a designee, who shall serve ex officio;
(3) the Athletic Commissioner of the State Athletic Control Board, or a designee, who shall serve ex officio;
(4) the Chief Ringside Physician of the State Athletic Control Board, or a designee, who shall serve ex officio;
(5) one public member to be appointed by the President of the Senate who shall be knowledgeable and experienced at promoting, managing, training, or competing in a combative event sanctioned by the State Athletic Control Board;
(6) one public member to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly who shall be knowledgeable and experienced at promoting, managing, training, or competing in a combative event sanctioned by the State Athletic Control Board; and
(7) three public members appointed by the Governor who shall be knowledgeable and experienced at promoting, managing, training, or competing in a combative event sanctioned by the State Athletic Control Board.
c. Vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as provided for the original appointments.
d. The commission shall organize as soon as practicable, but no later than the 30th day after the appointment of a majority of its members. The commission shall elect a chairperson from among its members and appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the commission.
e. The commission may meet at the call of its chair and hold hearings at the times and in the places it deems necessary and appropriate to fulfill its charge. The commission shall be entitled to call to its assistance, and avail itself of the services of, the employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as it may require and as may be available for its purposes.
f. The public members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for traveling and other miscellaneous expenses necessary to perform their duties, within the limits of the funds made available to the commission for its purposes.
2. It shall be the duty of the commission to:
a. review the number of combative events regulated by the State Athletic Control Board since its inception;
b. compare the number of combative events hosted in New Jersey with the number of events regulated by neighboring states;
c. identify the factors which inhibit the growth of the combative sports industry in New Jersey, and evaluate the statutes and regulations that have made the State less desirable for promoters, managers, and athletes, focusing specifically on the provisions which require licensing and medical examinations for all participants;
d. analyze the correlation, if any, between the decline in the number of events sanctioned by the State Athletic Control Board and the costs associated with mandatory licensing and medical examinations;
e. conduct a review of the laws and regulations enacted by other states, to determine the approaches and strategies that have made other states more attractive and accessible for the combative sports industry;
f. assess the financial impact, if any, that a revitalization of the combative sports industry and additional sanctioned events would have on the State's economy and local communities.
3. The commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor, and the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), along with any legislative bills that it desires to recommend for adoption by the Legislature, no later than nine months after the date of its initial meeting.
4. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately and shall expire upon the issuance of the commission's report.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution creates a commission to be known as the "New Jersey Combative Sports Revitalization Commission." The purpose of the commission is to conduct a thorough review of the State's combative sports industry, and to evaluate ways to revitalize an industry that has played a supportive role in the development of New Jersey. The nine member commission is comprised of: the Attorney General, the Chair of the State Athletic Control Board, the Athletic Commissioner of the State Athletic Control board, the Chief Ringside Physician of the State Athletic Control Board, one public member appointed by the President of the Senate; one public member appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly; and three public members appointed by the Governor.
The joint resolution requires the commission to: (1) review the number of combative events regulated by the State Athletic Control Board since its inception; (2) compare the number of events hosted in New Jersey with the number of events regulated by neighboring states; (3) identify the factors which inhibit the growth of the combative sports industry in New Jersey, and evaluate the statutes and regulations that have made the State less desirable for promoters, managers, and athletes, focusing specifically on the provisions which require licensing and medical examinations for all participants; (4) analyze the correlation, if any, between the decline in the number of events sanctioned by the State Athletic Control Board and the costs associated with mandatory licensing and medical examinations; (5) conduct a review of the laws and regulations enacted by other states, to determine the approaches and strategies that have made other states more attractive and accessible for the combative sports industry; and (6) assess the financial impact, if any, that a revitalization of the combative sports industry and additional sanctioned events would have on the State's economy and local communities.
The commission is charged with submitting a final report containing its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature, no later than nine months after the date of its initial meeting.
The commission is to dissolve after the submission of the final report.
