Substituted for: House Bill No. 2199

By Windle, Pleasant

AN ACT To amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 115, Part 2, relative to professional boxing, sparring or wrestling matches or exhibitions.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 115, Part 2, is amended by adding the following as a new section:

Section___. (a) The commissioner may order the promoter to withhold all or any part of a purse or other money belonging to or payable to any contestant, manager or second in a professional boxing or sparring match or exhibition if, in the judgment of the commission:

(1) The contestant is not competing honestly or to the best of his or her skill and ability or the contestant otherwise violates any regulations adopted by the commissioner or any of the provisions of this part, including, but not limited to, the provisions of §68-115-207(c); or

(2) The manager or seconds violate any regulations adopted by the commissioner or any of the provisions of this part, including, but not limited to, the provisions of §68-115-207(c).

1. Upon withholding all or any part of a purse or other money pursuant to this section, the commissioner shall immediately schedule a hearing on the matter in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, codified in Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 5. Such hearing may be combined with a license suspension or revocation hearing conducted pursuant to §68-115-207.

(c) If it is determined that a contestant, manager or second is not entitled to any part of his or her share of the purse or other money, the promoter shall pay the money over to the commissioner. Subject to the provisions of subsection (d), any such money shall be deposited with the State Treasurer for credit to the state general fund.

(d) Money turned over to the commissioner pending final action in any matter shall be deposited in a separate account and must remain in that account until the commissioner orders its disposition in accordance with the final action taken.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.