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March 31, 2008
House Committee Revises Wrestling Legislation
From Larry Goodman:
The Senate-passed version of the bill that would substantially change regulation of pro wrestling and MMA in Georgia was derailed by the
Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives today.
In a move befitting a wrestling storyline, the Judiciary Committee invoked Senate rule 3-1.2(d) which states "all bills for raising revenue or
appropriating money shall originate in the House of Representatives" in accord with the Georgia Constitution.
The Judiciary Committee limited the annual fee for promoters to $100, as stated in the current law, and removed the licensing fee for
wrestlers. Wrestlers would still be required to be licensed and undergo basic medical testing.
In addition, the process to appeal suspension or revocation of a license has been clarified, and the misdemeanor liability is now limited
to failure to obtain a license or falsifying information on a license application.
As was the case with the changes made by the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, all of the revisions made by the
Judiciary Committee were favored by the Georgia Wrestling Promoters Advisory Committee, headed by Bill Behrens, who was in
attendance at today's meeting.
To continue on its path to becoming state law, the revised version must pass both the House and the Senate by this Friday, April 4, the
40th and final legislative day of the 2008 Georgia General Assembly.
If signed by Governor Purdue the legislation would go into effect July 1.
House Committee Revises Wrestling Legislation
From Larry Goodman:
The Senate-passed version of the bill that would substantially change regulation of pro wrestling and MMA in Georgia was derailed by the
Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives today.
In a move befitting a wrestling storyline, the Judiciary Committee invoked Senate rule 3-1.2(d) which states "all bills for raising revenue or
appropriating money shall originate in the House of Representatives" in accord with the Georgia Constitution.
The Judiciary Committee limited the annual fee for promoters to $100, as stated in the current law, and removed the licensing fee for
wrestlers. Wrestlers would still be required to be licensed and undergo basic medical testing.
In addition, the process to appeal suspension or revocation of a license has been clarified, and the misdemeanor liability is now limited
to failure to obtain a license or falsifying information on a license application.
As was the case with the changes made by the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, all of the revisions made by the
Judiciary Committee were favored by the Georgia Wrestling Promoters Advisory Committee, headed by Bill Behrens, who was in
attendance at today's meeting.
To continue on its path to becoming state law, the revised version must pass both the House and the Senate by this Friday, April 4, the
40th and final legislative day of the 2008 Georgia General Assembly.
If signed by Governor Purdue the legislation would go into effect July 1.