Legislative Analysis
Phone: (517) 373-8080
UNARMED COMBAT EVENTS
http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
House Bill 5156 (H-1) as reported from committee Analysis available at
Sponsor: Rep. Lori Stone http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Committee: Regulatory Reform
Complete to 5-17-24
SUMMARY:
House Bill 5156 would amend the Michigan Unarmed Combat Regulatory Act to allow a third-
party sanctioning body to sanction a martial arts event in Michigan and to make other changes
described below.
Third-party sanctioning body sanctioned events
The bill would allow a third-party sanctioning body to apply to the Michigan Unarmed
Combat Commission (MUCC), in a form and manner prescribed by the commission, with
payment of a nonrefundable $500 application and event fee, to sanction an unarmed combat
event in one or more martial arts, such as judo, taekwondo, karate, or kempo, in Michigan.
Third-party sanctioning body would mean a person independent of the Department of
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and the MUCC that is approved by the
MUCC to supervise, conduct, and oversee contests of certain unarmed combat events
in Michigan.
Martial art would mean a form of weaponless discipline of combat or self-defense that
uses physical skills and coordination and is practiced as a combat sport, subject to the
limitations contained in the act and its rules.
Not more than two business days after the event, the third-party sanctioning body would have
to report the contest results to LARA for review and to each national contest results database
selected by LARA. The body would have to make the contest results available to the MUCC
upon request.
The MUCC would have to promulgate rules to implement these provisions, including at least
all of the following:
• An evaluation of a third-party sanctioning body.
• Qualifications for approval of a third-party sanctioning body to sanction an unarmed
combat event in Michigan.
• Procedures to ensure that an approved third-party sanctioning body complies with all
applicable laws.
Licensure of seconds
The act currently requires that individuals be licensed as a referee, judge, matchmaker, or
timekeeper before they are allowed to participate in events in those rules. In order to be
licensed, applicants must be at least 18 years old, be of good moral character, and satisfy any
other applicable requirement.
House Fiscal Agency Page 1 of 3
 The bill would add a requirement that seconds be licensed by LARA, with the same conditions
as described above, to participate in contest or event. The annual license fee would be $50.
Second would mean an individual who assists a contestant during a contest, such as a
cornerperson, cutperson, or manager. It would not include a cutperson who is
responsible for preventing and treating damage for both contestants in a contest.
Cornerperson would mean an individual who provides assistance to a contestant
before or during a contest, such as wrapping the contestant’s hands for fighting or
providing water.
Cutperson would mean an individual who prevents and treats physical damage for a
contestant for a contest.
Manager would mean an individual who acts in a representative capacity on behalf of
a contestant in certain situations related to the contestant’s career, such as identifying
a contest or event for the contestant to compete in, negotiating terms and pay for a
contest or event, or representing the interest of the contestant.
Responsibility for unarmed combat event staff
The act now requires a licensed promoter that presents an unarmed combat event in Michigan
to arrange for a referee, judges, timekeeper, and inspector to fulfill various purposes required
by the act. The bill would shift this responsibility to the MUCC. In addition, it would provide
that a manager, promoter, matchmaker, trainer, second, or contestant cannot officiate a contest
or event.
Additional licensure requirements
The bill would add a requirement that applicants for a referee, judge, or second license
complete a concussion management and treatment program acceptable to LARA, which would
have to publish a list of acceptable programs on its website. Applicants for a license renewal
would also be required to complete this training at least once every five years.
The bill also would add a requirement that applicants for a referee, judge, or timekeeper license
serve in that position for a certain amount of time or number of rounds, as determined by
LARA, in amateur-level contests. The minimum experience requirements would have to be
posted on LARA’s website.
The bill would take effect 180 days after it is enacted.
MCL 338.3610 et seq.
BRIEF DISCUSSION:
According to committee testimony, the bill is intended to modernize the act to be more similar
to other states’ and to enable unarmed combat sports to grow in Michigan. In particular,
supporters argued that the bill would improve safety and eliminate potential conflicts of interest
by transferring certain responsibilities from promoters to the MUCC.
House Fiscal Agency HB 5156 (H-1) as reported Page 2 of 3
FISCAL IMPACT:
House Bill 5156 would likely result in both increased costs and revenues for the Department
of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
The department anticipates that costs would be incurred to update information technology (IT)
systems to accommodate the new “second” license category and for additional staff time. The
department indicated that IT updates typically fall within the $30,000 to $100,000 range,
depending on the complexity of the required change. The department also anticipates that
additional staff time would be required under the changes made by the bill. An additional
departmental analyst position (at the top end of the pay and benefits scale) would cost
approximately $140,000, according to the department.
The department would likely realize increased revenue under the bill, stemming from the
addition of the second license and fees associated with third-party sanctioned events.
Individuals seeking a second license would be responsible for a $30 application processing fee
and a $50 annual license fee. Third-party sanctioned events would be subject to a $500
application and event fee. Revenue from both of these fees would be deposited into the
Unarmed Combat Fund, which is used, upon appropriation, for the costs of administering and
enforcing the Michigan Unarmed Combat Regulatory Act. The magnitude of the revenue
would depend on the number of individuals who seek licensure as a second and the number of
third-party sanctioned events.
POSITIONS:
Representatives of the following entities testified in support of the bill (4-23-24):
• Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
• Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission
Legislative Analyst: Alex Stegbauer
Fiscal Analyst: Marcus Coffin
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
House Fiscal Agency HB 5156 (H-1) as reported Page 3 of 3


Statutes affected:
Substitute (H-1): 338.3610
House Introduced Bill: 338.3610