Senate Bill 2793

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 75-75-109, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ATHLETIC COMMISSION MEMBERS OR APPOINTED INSPECTORS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO ATTEND EVERY WRESTLING EXHIBITION; TO AMEND SECTION 75-75-119, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE FINE FOR VIOLATING RULES OR REGULATIONS OF THE ATHLETIC COMMISSION; TO AMEND SECTION 75-75-123, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXEMPT EVENTS SANCTIONED BY USA AMATEUR BOXING FROM JURISDICTION OF THE COMMISSION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 75-75-109, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

75-75-109. The commission may appoint and remove at pleasure, such number of inspectors of athletics as in its judgment is necessary to aid in the proper discharge of its duties. Compensation may be paid an inspector as the commission may determine, but he shall be paid, when ordered to attend a match or exhibition, his actual traveling expenses in the same way and manner as expenses of members of the commission are paid. It shall be the duty of the commission, either by one of its members or by a duly appointed inspector, to attend every boxing, wrestling or sparring match or exhibition held in the State of Mississippi. However, it is not required that they attend every wrestling exhibition. The commission may appoint and remove at pleasure, a secretary to the commission, who shall perform such duties as the commission may prescribe, and who shall keep a full, complete and up-to-date record of all proceedings of said commission, including all licenses and all sums collected, and make a report thereof to the State Auditor annually, on or before the fifteenth day of January in each year.

SECTION 2. Section 75-75-119, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

75-75-119. Any person who shall willfully violate any rule or regulation passed or adopted by the Mississippi Athletic Commission, relating to boxing, sparring or wrestling, on conviction shall be fined not * * * more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per violation or, if a competitor, not more than ten percent (10%) of the contract purse per violation.

SECTION 3. Section 75-75-123, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

75-75-123. Amateur boxing, sparring and wrestling matches in colleges, universities or high schools shall be exempted from the jurisdiction of the commission herein created and shall be permitted and supervised by the governing body of such high school, college or university. Events sanctioned by USA Amateur Boxing shall also be exempt.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2005.