HB 341-REPEAL:ATHLETIC COMM;BOXING/WRESTLING LAW  3:29:59 PM CHAIR KITO announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 341, "An Act relating to the athletic commission and the commissioner of athletics; and relating to boxing, sparring, and wrestling contests, matches, and exhibitions." 3:30:36 PM MIKE NAVARRE, Commissioner Designee, Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED), introduced HB 341 on behalf of the House Rules Committee by request of the governor. He gave the history of the commission and spoke to the licensing fees and the statute governing the commission. He stated that the department was looking to repeal the commission. 3:32:11 PM REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD mentioned a boxing group in Mat- Su and asked whether the group was overseen by any state entity. 3:32:42 PM SARA CHAMBERS, Deputy Director, Division of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED), answered questions in the hearing on HB 341. She answered that the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act establishes parameters for state boxing organizations. The federal law states that if there is no state oversight, the organizations will be under federal oversight. 3:33:33 PM REPRESENTATIVE WOOL gave the example of a big championship fight in Alaska and suggested it would have to be backed by another state's license. MS. CHAMBERS answered that was her understanding. She added that industry members may be better suited to answer. 3:34:38 PM CHAIR KITO opened public testimony on HB 341. 3:34:55 PM BILLY CHRISTENSEN testified in the hearing on HB 341. He shared his background in the boxing industry. He expressed his concerns with the removal of the current athletic commission and explained why he thinks the federal boxing reform act is not a good fit for Alaska. He read the final sentence in Governor Walker's transmittal letter [including in committee packet], which reads as follows [original punctuation provided]: Further, under the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, the Attorney General, as chief law enforcement officer, count maintain a civil action in federal district court to enjoin a professional boxing match, enforce compliance with federal law, or obtain fines. MR. CHRISTENSEN said the existing commission already has details specified within it and he stated his concern that the federal act did not make sense in Alaska. He offered his time and knowledge of the industry to answer any questions or find solutions moving forward. He added his background is in the compliance industry and he is familiar with the language. 3:37:56 PM REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH asked which permits or licenses are currently needed to stage a boxing competition. MR. CHRISTENSEN answered there is not currently a governing body in Alaska. He stated the industry is successfully self- governing with the appropriate insurance. REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH asked whether Mr. Christensen wanted to see the commission continue. MR. CHRISTENSEN said he wanted to see things stay the way they are. He said he had concerns about Governor Walker's statement that the state would adhere to the federal act. 3:40:46 PM REPRESENTATIVE STUTES pointed out that the commission hasn't been active since 1997, so she surmised deactivating the commission would only mean things continue to operate as they have since 1997. 3:41:21 PM COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE NAVARRE answered in the affirmative. REPRESENTATIVE STUTES said she presumed that Mr. Christensen, under those conditions, would not have consternation about the commission, knowing that things would continue as they have since 1997. MR. CHRISTENSEN answered that was correct. 3:41:59 PM REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked what removing the boxing commission would change. MS. CHAMBERS answered that the department has been carrying around "the trappings of the old commission" and stated that includes $15 thousand in deficit. She added the debt could be erased and the inactive statutes could be removed. 3:44:14 PM REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD asked about licensing. MS. CHAMBERS answered there is not currently any related professional license for boxers and wrestlers. Business licenses are always required but there is no professional license. 3:45:22 PM CHAIR KITO asked Mr. Christensen whether boxers who were sanctioned under another state's commission could operate in Alaska. MR. CHRISTENSEN answered in the affirmative. He added that many famous boxers such as George Foreman and Sugar Ray Leonard had boxed in the state. CHAIR KITO asked whether events sanctioned under another state would be precluded from adhering to the Muhammad Ali Reform Act. MR. CHRISTENSEN said the Muhammad Ali Reform Act refers to the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) standard. He specified that the ABC meets and exceeds the Muhammad Ali Reform Act. CHAIR KITO asked whether Mr. Christensen's concern was that everything in the state would fall under the [federal] reform act if there were no state commission. MR. CHRISTENSEN said that was correct. He explained that the act was created in 1959 and the game is very different today. He added the industry in Alaska is more an entertainment industry than a professional venue industry. He suggested the average fighter in Alaska has no more than two or three fights in their career. He added that the reform act has more to do with professional promoters and other things that are not seen in Alaska. CHAIR KITO asked if Mr. Christensen would be willing to work with his staff. MR. CHRISTENSEN answered that he would be more than happy to do so. 3:49:11 PM REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH reiterated the last sentence of the governor's transmittal license and surmised the concern was with the enforcement by the attorney general. COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE NAVARRE said there is no plan to have the attorney general take any action unless there is a problem. He restated that the boxing organization is already self-governing. 3:51:02 PM CHAIR KITO held over HB 341.