While this may not pertain directly to Hawaii MMA and its regulations I have gone over this believed it made for a pretty interesting read.  This article was reported by Roselyn Monroyo of the Saipan Tribune.

Members of the mixed martial arts community in the CNMI voiced out their concerns on House Local Bill No. 16-26 in a public hearing at the House of Representatives on Capital Hill yesterday, pointing out more bad than good effects the proposal will do to one of the fastest growing sports here.

H.L.B. 16-26, authored by Rep. Stanley Torres (R-Saipan), aims to establish the Saipan Local Athletic Commission, which will implement regulations on mixed martial arts activities in the Commonwealth.

Justis “Cuki” Alvarez, president and promoter of Trench Tech, Inc., in an interview with Saipan Tribune yesterday, said although he is open to having MMA undergo regulation, there are a lot of provisions in the bill that are “too regulated.”

“At the current state of the bill, I am totally against it. Unless we make a lot of changes and come to a compromise, then I support regulation to a certain extent,” said Alvarez, who gave his testimony to the House Standing Committee on Judiciary and Government Operation chaired by Rep. Rosemond B. Santos (R-Saipan).

The bill if made into law will mandate promoters, managers, trainers, and ring officials to secure licenses from the commission and pay corresponding fees. A bond not less than $10,000 is required before a promoter gets a license. Besides the license fees, promoters are also mandated to pay a minimum fee of $1,000 for every event they plan to put up and fighters maybe required to get insurance coverage.

“The costs (license and events fees) are too high. We have four to five events a year and we also pay for staff, referees, and fighters. It (bill) is very costly and at this time, it's not going to work,” Alvarez said.

Jeff Boyer of Gorilla Warfare MMA also testified at the hearing and said the current provisions in the bill will kill the sport that is starting to grow in the CNMI.

“We are still a very small market with only two promotions (Gorilla and Trench Tech) pushing for MMA fights here. Current provisions in the bill are big blows to MMA,” Boyer said.

'Not now'

Jeffery Randall Taylor, Alvarez's business partner at Trench Tech, Inc., said the creation of the commission will mean hiring more people, while the CNMI government and the rest of the world are in financial turmoil.

“These are not critical positions at this critical time. You are looking at least 12 new hires when we are in a freeze hiring mode,” Taylor said.

In the bill, the commission must have four members and can employ an executive director and inspectors. There is also the creation of a medical advisory board, which will look into the safety and welfare of fighters. Three license medical practitioners to be appointed by the governor are needed in the board. Their duties include submission of appropriate standard for the physical and mental examination of fighters and recommendation for licensing physicians who are qualified to examine fighters.

“We have only four to five events a year and then we hire doctors who will perform their jobs in four to five days a year. It's better to see them work at CHC for 365 days,” Taylor said.

Alvarez said they understood the legislators and public's concern about the safety of the fighters and as promoters they are doing their share of ensuring that MMA participants are in good hands.

“Fighters safety and health are something we will never disagree on. We have a doctor and ambulance on standby during bouts. I am sure there are other ways to protect our fighters, such as getting a health certificate before the fight, and we are ready to work with all concerned parties,” Alvarez said.

'Saipan is no Vegas'

Fighters and fans who read the bill pointed out that majority of the provisions H.LB. 16-26 are based on Nevada Athletic Commission's regulations.

Similarities include appointment of various personnel, creation of fees and licenses, requirement of insurance coverage, and setting up percentage for gate receipts and other revenues.

Torres admitted the bill was patterned after the Nevada Athletic Commission, saying he saw Nevada's regulations as something to start up Saipan's.

Jose Mafnas, an MMA figher here and in Hawaii, said Saipan isn't Vegas and lawmakers should look into proposals, which could fit with the Commonwealth's system.

“They have to work with people who have hands on experience in the sport, not just drafting out something from the mainland. Vegas is 10 times bigger or more than the Saipan market,” said Mafnas.

Taylor added Las Vegas is a multi-million industry, while Saipan's may not even be considered an industry with its less than $100,000 earnings a year.

Mafnas said setting high fees for licensing and events permit may force promoters to put up less fights and these may affect the fighters themselves and spectators.

L.J. Castro, who works as ring announcer in MMA fights, said setting fees and requiring licenses would mean more red tape, as fighters and promoters have to undergo processes to get things done.

He added at this point when promoters and fighters are regulating themselves, having safety measures for fighters and providing quality fights for fans, a regulatory body is not needed.

“Why fix it if it isn't broken,” Castro said.

Insurance, safety concerns

Rep. Diego Benavente (R-Saipan) raised concerns on fighters having insurance coverage, as anything can happen inside the cage or the ring.

Taylor said they do not require fighters to have insurance. Fighters also sign waivers, releasing promoters from liability.

“As much as we want to, insurance companies will have second thoughts giving a coverage to fighters. We also have to consider the high cost of insurance, so at this time, it's not going to happen,” Taylor said.

In the current bill, the commission may require insurance coverage for medical, surgical, or hospital care of fighters in an amount of $50,000 or more.

Torres reiterated that the bill was introduced primarily to protect fighters from harm and ensure that they are well taken care off, as they are risking their lives during the fights.

“We are for the safety and welfare of the combatants. What will happen if a combatant gets hit in critical fight? When they get sick or injured, are they protected medically?” Torres said, adding getting inputs from the public is what they need to polish the bill.

“We will look at all the angle of this bill. This is not final and in fact, there is already a revision of the bill. The chairperson will call the committee back and go over the bill, and may be invite the people in the business, again to sit down with us and come up with an acceptable version of the bill,” Torres said.

Santos said the committee will keep an open communication with the MMA community to come up with the best and most practical bill.

“When there's anything new in the CNMI, we look at other jurisdiction, how they implement any program, or any activity govern by an agency in the government. We then take that particular legislation and see how we can amend or change it to make it fit with CNMI's nuisances, whatever that maybe. As far as the fees, we will see how that plays out in Guam and Hawaii and see what number is reasonable for CNMI,” Santos said.