89R6315 PRL-F

By: Alvarado S.B. No. 1181

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the regulation of combative sports by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation; creating a criminal offense.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 2052.110, Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 2052.110. LICENSE AND BONDING EXCEPTIONS. If the contestants are amateurs, the licensing and bonding requirements of this chapter do not apply to:

(1) an event conducted by a college, school, or university that is part of the institution's athletic program in which only students of educational institutions participate;

(2) an event [which is] conducted by a troop, battery, company, or unit of the Texas National Guard or a law enforcement agency [and] in which only members of military or law enforcement organizations participate; or

(3) an event [which is] conducted by:

(A) a member [an] organization or recognized sports organization of the United States Olympic & [Games, the] Paralympic Committee; or

(B) an international sports federation or recognized federation of the International Olympic Committee [Games, or the Pan-American Games and in which participants train or compete for advancement to or within the games].

SECTION 2. Section 2052.115, Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 2052.115. PROMOTER RESPONSIBILITIES. For each promoted event, a promoter shall:

(1) before holding the event, obtain department approval in the form and manner required by the department;

(2) ensure [assure that] all contestants participating in the event satisfy the eligibility requirements for licensure [scheduled to participate are licensed before the event];

(3) [(2)] provide [that] an ambulance, serviced by at least two emergency medical technicians, [is present] on the premises where the event is held;

(4) [(3)] provide for a physical examination of each contestant that complies with rules adopted under this chapter; and

(5) [(4)] comply with all commission rules.

SECTION 3. Section 2052.254, Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 2052.254. ELIMINATION TOURNAMENTS. Except as authorized by commission rule, an [An] elimination tournament may not be conducted in this state.

SECTION 4. Subchapter G, Chapter 2052, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 2052.301 to read as follows:

Sec. 2052.301. UNAUTHORIZED EVENT; CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly acts as a promoter of an event the department has not approved as required by Section 2052.115.

(b) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.

SECTION 5. Section 2052.3015, Occupations Code, is repealed.

SECTION 6. (a) The change in law made by this Act does not affect the validity of a proceeding pending before a court or other governmental entity on the effective date of this Act.

(b) The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shall prescribe the form and manner of approval required by Section 2052.115, Occupations Code, as amended by this Act. The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation may adopt any rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act.

(c) An offense or other violation of law committed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the offense or violation was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this subsection, an offense or violation was committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense or violation occurred before that date.

SECTION 7. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.