A bill for an act
relating to labor and industry; modifying combative sports regulations; increasing
payment threshold from the contractor recovery fund; amending Minnesota Statutes
2022, sections 326B.89, subdivision 5; 341.28, by adding a subdivision; 341.29;
Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, sections 341.25; 341.28, subdivision 5;
341.30, subdivision 4; 341.321; 341.33, by adding a subdivision; 341.355.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 326B.89, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
The commissioner shall not pay compensation from the
fund to an owner or a lessee in an amount greater than deleted text begin $75,000deleted text end new text begin $100,000new text end per licensee. The
commissioner shall not pay compensation from the fund to owners and lessees in an amount
that totals more than $550,000 per licensee. The commissioner shall only pay compensation
from the fund for a final judgment that is based on a contract directly between the licensee
and the homeowner or lessee that was entered into prior to the cause of action and that
requires licensure as a residential building contractor or residential remodeler.
new text begin
This section is effective July 1, 2024.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 341.25, is amended to read:
(a) The commissioner may adopt rules that include standards for the physical examination
and condition of combatants and referees.
(b) The commissioner may adopt other rules necessary to carry out the purposes of this
chapter, including, but not limited to, the conduct of all combative sport contests and their
manner, supervision, time, and place.
(c) The most recent version of the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, as promulgated
by the Association of Boxing Commissions, is incorporated by reference and made a part
of this chapter except as qualified by this chapter and Minnesota Rules, chapter 2202. In
the event of a conflict between this chapter and the Unified Rules, this chapter must govern.
(d) The most recent version of the Unified Rules of Boxing, as promulgated by the
Association of Boxing Commissions, is incorporated by reference and made a part of this
chapter except as qualified by this chapter and Minnesota Rules, chapter 2201. In the event
of a conflict between this chapter and the Unified Rules, this chapter must govern.
(e) The most recent version of the Unified Rules of Kickboxingnew text begin and Unified Rules of
Muay Thainew text end , as promulgated by the Association of Boxing Commissions, deleted text begin isdeleted text end new text begin arenew text end incorporated
by reference and made a part of this chapter except as qualified by this chapter and any
applicable Minnesota Rules. In the event of a conflict between this chapter and deleted text begin the Unified
Rulesdeleted text end new text begin those rulesnew text end , this chapter must govern.new text begin If a promoter seeks to hold a kickboxing event
governed by a different set of kickboxing rules, the promoter must send the commissioner
a copy of the rules under which the proposed bouts will be conducted at least 45 days before
the event. The commissioner may approve or deny the use of the alternative rules at the
commissioner's discretion. If the alternative rules are approved for an event, this chapter
and any applicable Minnesota Rules, except of those incorporating the Unified Rules of
Kickboxing and Unified Rules of Muay Thai, must govern if there is a conflict between the
rules and Minnesota law.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 341.28, subdivision 5, is amended
to read:
(a) Unless this
chapter specifically states otherwise, contests or exhibitions for martial arts and amateur
boxing are exempt from the requirements of this chapter and officials at these events are
not required to be licensed under this chapter.
(b) Martial arts and amateur boxing contests, unless subject to the exceptions set forth
in subdivision 6new text begin or 7new text end , must be regulated by a nationally recognized organization approved
by the commissioner. The organization must have a set of written standards, procedures, or
rules used to sanction the combative sports it oversees.
(c) Any regulatory body overseeing a martial arts or amateur boxing event must submit
bout results to the commissioner within 72 hours after the event. If the regulatory body
issues suspensions, the regulatory body must submit to the commissioner a list of any
suspensions resulting from the event within 72 hours after the event. Regulatory bodies that
oversee combative sports or martial arts contests under subdivision 6new text begin or 7new text end are not subject
to this paragraph.
Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.28, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:
new text begin
Combative sports or martial arts
contests between individuals under the age of 18 years are exempt from the requirements
of this chapter and officials at these events are not required to be licensed under this chapter.
A contest under this subdivision must be regulated by (1) a widely recognized organization
that regularly oversees youth competition, or (2) a local government.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 341.29, is amended to read:
The commissioner shall:
(1) have sole direction, supervision, regulation, control, and jurisdiction over all
combative sport contests that are held within this state unless a contest is exempt from the
application of this chapter under federal law;
(2) have sole control, authority, and jurisdiction over all licenses required by this chapter;
(3) grant a license to an applicant if, in the judgment of the commissioner, the financial
responsibility, experience, character, and general fitness of the applicant are consistent with
the public interestdeleted text begin , convenience, or necessitydeleted text end andnew text begin innew text end the best interests of combative sports
and conforms with this chapter and the commissioner's rules;
(4) deny, suspend, or revoke a license using the enforcement provisions of section
326B.082, except that the licensing reapplication time frames remain within the sole
discretion of the commissioner; and
(5) serve final nonlicensing orders in performing the duties of this chapter which are
subject to the contested case procedures provided in sections 14.57 to 14.69.
Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 341.30, subdivision 4, is amended
to read:
(a) Before the commissioner issues a promoter's
license to an individual, corporation, or other business entity, the applicant shall complete
a licensing application on the Office of Combative Sports website or on forms prescribed
by the commissioner and shall:
(1) show on the licensing application the owner or owners of the applicant entity and
the percentage of interest held by each owner holding a 25 percent or more interest in the
applicant;
(2) provide the commissioner with a copy of the latest financial statement of the applicant;
(3) provide proof, where applicable, of authorization to do business in the state of
Minnesota; and
(4) deposit with the commissioner a surety bond in an amount set by the commissioner,
which must not be less than $10,000. The bond shall be executed in favor of this state and
shall be conditioned on the faithful performance by the promoter of the promoter's obligations
under this chapter and the rules adopted under it.
(b) Before the commissioner issues a license to a combatant, the applicant shall:
(1) submit to the commissioner the results of current medical examinations on forms
prescribed by the commissioner that state that the combatant is cleared to participate in a
combative sport contest. The applicant must undergo and submit the results of the following
medical examinations, which do not exempt a combatant from the requirements in section
341.33:
(i) a physical examination performed by a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathic
medicin