March 18, 1999

TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE FOR HOUSE BILL 1336

I am returning House Bill 1336, "AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON MUST BE LICENSED AS A PROMOTER BY THE MISSISSIPPI ATHLETIC COMMISSION IN ORDER TO PRODUCE OR STAGE A PROFESSIONAL BOXING MATCH IN MISSISSIPPI OR IN ORDER TO SHOW IN MISSISSIPPI A PROFESSIONAL BOXING MATCH BY A CLOSED CIRCUIT OR PAY-PER-VIEW TELECAST; TO PROVIDE THAT A PROMOTER WHO IS CONDUCTING A CLOSED CIRCUIT OR PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT THAT IS TAXED PURSUANT TO THIS ACT SHALL POST A BOND CONDITIONED THAT THE PROMOTER WILL CONDUCT HIMSELF IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE RULES AND REGULATIONS PRESCRIBED BY THE MISSISSIPPI ATHLETIC COMMISSION AND THAT HE WILL PROMPTLY PAY ALL TAXES WHEN DUE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROMOTER OF A CLOSED CIRCUIT OR PAY-PER-VIEW TELECAST SHALL OBTAIN A PERMIT FOR SUCH TELECAST FROM THE MISSISSIPPI ATHLETIC COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE FOR A TAX ON CLOSED CIRCUIT AND PAY-PER-VIEW TELECASTS TO BE COLLECTED BY THE MISSISSIPPI ATHLETIC COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 75-75-105, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES." without my approval and respectfully present the following reasons for my veto:

This bill was designed as a tax on out-of-state boxing promoters. Despite what I am sure are good faith assurances to the contrary, I fear that this tax could eventually be passed on to Mississippi consumers.

Although other states have a similar tax, I am unwilling to give my approval to add Mississippi to that list.

Respectfully submitted,

KIRK FORDICE
GOVERNOR