June 6, 2014. House Bill 1049 passed both chambers and was signed by Governor Daugaard this year so the newly formed South Dakota Athletic Commission could operate and meet its statutory obligation to regulate boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts competitions (MMA fighting).
In 2013, the legislature passed a bill to establish the Commission, allowing Governor Daugaard to appoint five members to the Commission and giving them authority to regulate boxing and other MMA sports in the state. This year, HB 1049 will give the Commission authority and ability to operate similar to other state boards.
Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA; Cage Fighting, as it’s sometimes called, is becoming more popular in South Dakota, with some state residents rising through the ranks of the sport to be considered professional athletes. The list includes former UFC fighter and Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar from Webster and Female Ultimate Fighter contestant Shayna Baszler from Sioux Falls (pictured above with me and my neighbor).
Some backing this years’ legislation say the sport needs to be regulated. Others, note the true purpose of the legislation is to give the athletic commission more authority and oversight.
Speaking in my other role as a state legislator, what we didn’t do in 2013 was to give direction for the commission. We created the commission, we told them the main points of what we wanted handled. But we failed to give them the rule making authority and the guidance to go ahead and implement all the things that we wanted them to do, which was administer the rules and regulations of boxing and fighting in South Dakota.
Now, through the measure passed in 2014, this law will allow the commission to set prices, schedule events and layout proper guidelines for athlete’s health and safety.
For more information regarding South Dakotoa laws and the new law on MMA Fighting in South Dakota, contact the Goosmann Law Firm at info@goosmannlaw.com or call 712-226-4000.
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