Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that legalizes mixed martial arts.

Highlights:

• Expands the Lottery Commission to include the State Athletic Commission (Art. 2, Sec. 1).

• Defines "mixed martial arts" as a combative sporting contest, the rules of which allow two competitors to attempt to achieve dominance over one another by utilizing a variety of techniques including, but not limited to, the following (Art. 5, Sec. 2):
• Striking;
• Grappling; or
• Submission holds.

• Specifies that the West Virginia Athletic Commission shall be terminated and reinstated on July 1, 2011 and shall then consist of 5 members that are to be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate that meet the following standards (Art. 5, Sec. 3):
• 1 member who has 5 years experience in professional boxing;
• 1 member who has 5 years experience in professional mixed martial arts;
• 1 member who has 5 years experience in semi-professional boxing;
• 1 member who is a licensed allopathic or osteopathic physician; and
• 1 citizen member who is not licensed and does not perform any services related to persons regulated.

• Authorizes the Athletic Commission to perform, but not be limited to, the following duties (Art. 5, Sec. 4):
• Have control over professional boxing and mixed martial arts contests, as well as amateur mixed martial arts contests, and semi-professional boxing;
• Establish requirements for licenses, and procedures for submitting, approving and rejecting applications for licenses and permits;
• Determine the qualification of any applicant for licenses and permits;
• Maintain an office, and hire, discharge, establish the job requirements and fix the compensation of employees, investigators and contracted employees that are necessary to enforce this bill;
• Issue, renew, combine, deny, suspend, revoke, or reinstate licenses and permits; and
• Propose rules.

• Authorizes the Athletic Commission to determine if the contestants are evenly and fairly matched according to skill, experience and weight in order to produce a fair and sportsmanlike contest (Art. 5, Sec. 11).

• Authorizes the State Lottery Commission to provide administrative support and office space to the State Athletic Commission (Art. 22, Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text