Arkansas Wrestling Rules 17 CAR Subpart 9 - Combative Sports Licensing

Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to the Code of Arkansas Rules.

Proposed Rulemaking

Title

Promulgated by:

Arkansas State Athletic Commission Title 17. Professions, Occupations, and Businesses Chapter XL. State Athletic Commission, Department of Labor and Licensing Subchapter A. Generally Part 225. Rules for Combative Sports Subpart 9. Wrestling 17 CAR §225-901. Applicability. All rules in this subpart and Subpart 1 of this part apply to the sport of wrestling, provided, however, in the event of a conflict between this subpart and Subpart 1 of this part, the rules in this subpart prevail. 17 CAR §225-902. Professional and professional-style wrestling exemptions. Professional wrestling, amateur professional-style wrestling, and all other similar wrestling events which are scripted, staged, and have a preaaranged winner with the participants being at least eighteen (18) years of age, not engaging in strikes, throws, or techniques necessarily designed to actually injure the opponent shall be exempt from this part except those with one-thousand five hundred (1,500) or more spectators, pursuant to Arkansas Code §17-22-204(a)(3). 17 CAR §225-903. Compliance.

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(a) All professional wrestling events are subject to State Athletic Commission spot checks to ensure compliance with state law and this part. (b) Spot checks shall include, but not be limited to, attendance count and ticket manifests. 17 CAR §225-904. Props. All props used in a professional wrestling event are subject to approval by the State Athletic Commission. 17 CAR §225-905. Licensure. (a)(1) Everyone serving inside the ring area is a participant including, but not limited to: (A) Wrestlers; (B) Announcers; (C) Managers; (D) Referees; (E) Timekeepers; (F) Valets; (G) Trainers; (H) Seconds; and (I) Judges. (2) Every participant and promoter, unless exempted by this part, is required to apply for and receive a license from the State Athletic Commission before participating in or engaging in an activity related in any way to an event or other licensed activity. (b) Each applicant shall complete and submit to the commission: (1) An application via the electronic licensing portal; (2) An annual physical completed by a licensed physician; and (3) The twenty-five-dollar license fee. (c) Each applicant shall provide to the commission: DRAFT 2 12/20/2024 10:13:08 AM

(1) His or her legal name, as maintained by the Social Security Administration and Internal Revenue Service or such similar governmental agency for the country of

the applicant's residence;

(2) At least one (1) form of government issued identification bearing the

applicant's legal name, photograph, and age, which shall in no event be under the age

of eighteen (18); and (3) His or her physical address and immediately notify the commission of any change of address. (d) Each applicant shall be familiar with Arkansas Code § 17-22-101 et seq. and this part governing wrestling and professional wrestling. (e)(1) Except as provided in subdivision (e)(2) of this section, each applicant and person licensed under this part shall use the same name, which shall be his or her legal name, in connection with each event. (2) Participants shall not be prohibited from also using a "ring name" or "alias" in promotional materials and when being announced prior to a bout or event. (f) Before issuing or denying a license, the commission may examine the applicant or other witnesses and request all information the commission deems relevant to the applicant. (g)(1) The commission may deny, revoke, or suspend any license for good cause. (2) The commission may reject applications submitted without the required fee and all required information. (h) No license issued under this part is transferable to another person. (i)(1) Each applicant and person licensed by the commission shall, at any time requested by the commission, a designated employee, an inspector, or a doctor, submit to a test of breath, body fluids, or both for the presence of: (A) Alcohol; (B) Drugs; (C) Hepatitis A, B, or C; or (D) HIV.

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(2)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (i)(2)(B) of this section, the commission shall pay for all costs associated with a test required under subdivision (i)(1) of this section. (B) The applicant or licensee shall: (i) Pay all costs associated with tests required for initial licensure or renewal of a license; and (ii) Reimburse the commission for all positive tests and tests

indicating a violation of the commission's rules or laws of this state.

(j)(1) A positive test for the presence of alcohol, drugs, or infectious diseases or the refusal of a licensee to immediately submit to a test shall result in an immediate suspension of the licensee's license, with suspension continuing until a hearing before the commission for reinstatement. (2) In addition to suspension or revocation of the license, a positive test for alcohol, drugs, or infectious diseases or the refusal of the licensee to submit to testing may result in the imposition of a monetary fine. (3) Prior to reinstatement following a violation of this subsection, the licensee shall submit to a test for the presence of alcohol, drugs, and infectious diseases, the results of which shall be negative. (4) The World Anti-Doping Agency list of banned substances for combative sports will be the same list used by the commission. (k) All licenses issued by the commission expire on June 30 of each year. (l) Applications shall be submitted via the electronic licensing portal and will be subject to credit card, debit card, or other processing fees in addition to the licensing fees. 17 CAR §225-906. Event license. (a) Promoters of any event subject to the laws of this state and rules of the State Athletic Commission including, without limitation, any amateur event not exempted from this part shall submit an application for and receive an event license prior to each event as follows: DRAFT 4 12/20/2024 10:13:08 AM

(1) Each application shall be submitted through the electronic licensing portal; (2) Each application shall be submitted with a nonrefundable application fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each event permit fee; (3) Each application shall be submitted at least thirty (30) days prior to the proposed event; (4) Each application may apply for only one (1) event license; (5)(A)(i) Each application shall be submitted simultaneously with proof of financial responsibility by submitting a surety bond of at least five thousand dollars ($5,000) for an amateur event and at least twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for a professional event written by a bonding company or other commission-approved corporate surety authorized to do business in the State of Arkansas guaranteeing payment of all obligations, including without limitation commission fees and expenses arising out of the event, with such bond or bonds being of such type that a claim may be made thereupon, if such a claim is filed with the commission no later than ninety (90) days after the event. (ii) Bonds may be issued for as long as one (1) year, but in no case valid for less than one hundred eighty (180) days. (iii) The amount of the bond required hereunder may be increased by the commission or a designated employee on an event-by-event basis when seating capacity of the venue exceeds one thousand five hundred (1,500) seats. (B)(i) In lieu of the required surety bond, cash, certificates of deposit, irrevocable letters of credit, or other security acceptable to the commission may be submitted, which alternate security shall be retained by the commission for a minimum of one hundred eighty (180) days after the event for which the commission issued the event license. (ii) If no claim, written or verbal, is submitted to the commission before the one hundred eightieth day following the event for which the commission issued the event license, then the commission shall return the alternate security to the promoter or other person posting the alternate security.

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(iii) The commission shall not return the alternate security until any and all claims filed before the one hundred eightieth day are resolved by the commission; (6)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (a)(6)(B) of this section, an application shall be rejected if the granting of such application would result in the promoter having more than six (6) events simultaneously approved by the commission. (B)(i) A licensed, bonded promoter may be approved for no more than two (2) additional annual events. (ii) If a promoter has more than two (2) annual events and wishes to have them licensed simultaneously, then all events exceeding two (2) of the annual events shall be included in the total of six (6) maximum events; and (7) An application shall be rejected if, within twelve (12) months preceding the application date, the promoter has without good cause (insufficient ticket sales shall never be considered good cause) cancelled two (2) or more approved events. (b) Unless otherwise permitted under this part, events shall not take place over more than one (1) day. 17 CAR §225-907. Event procedures. The following shall be applicable to every event: (1) Audits and fees. The provisions of Arkansas Code § 17-22-101 et seq. and this part shall be followed with respect to remittance of fees to the State Athletic Commission and shall be subject to audit by the commission at any time; (2) Participants. (A)(i) If any action that involves bodily contact is to take place outside the ring, such action must be on ensolite padding or other similar closed-cell foam padding of at least one-inch thickness around the ring, inside the technical zone. (ii) Any contact taking place other than within the ring or as described in subdivision (2)(A)(i) of this section shall be subject to reprimand, civil penalties, or both.

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(B)(i) Participants who have physical contact with other participants of simulated violence must be properly trained and in good physical condition. (ii) If it is deemed by a doctor, medical personnel, or promoter that a participant is not physically fit to perform: (a) An official shall be notified; and (b) The participant shall not be allowed to perform. (C) Participants shall not have physical contact with any spectator involving simulated violence unless the spectator is a planted, licensed participant imitating a spectator. (D) Participants must be clothed in attire that would be appropriate for a parental TV rating of TV-PG. (E) No event shall have, nor shall a participant commit, an act that creates intentional bleeding without the prior approval of the commission and submission of the requisite bloodwork. (F)(i) No foreign objects shall be allowed without the prior approval of the

(ii) No foreign objects will be allowed to pierce the skin or shatter with the possibility of spectators being injured. (iii) Objects containing glass are strictly prohibited. (G) Only properly trained participants shall be allowed to use foreign objects. (H)(i) All matches or bouts at an event shall be between humans. (ii) No nonhumans or machines will be allowed to be participants. (I)(i) No matches or bouts at an event shall be between a male and female. (ii) A male participant is a person of the heterogametic sex born with XY chromosomes. (iii) A female participant is a person of the heterogametic sex born with XX chromosomes; and (3) Credentials and tickets. DRAFT 7 12/20/2024 10:13:08 AM

(A)(i) No person, excluding participants, seconds, and officials, shall be admitted to any event without a ticket or credential issued and documented by the promoter. (ii) No credential may be sold, exchanged, or bartered and a manifest for all credentials, including the name of the person to whom the credential was issued and the reason, must be maintained and produced for the commission at each event upon request by the commission made at a reasonable time the day of the event. (B) All credentials shall be clearly designated by the promoter as required by this part and the commission. (C) Promoters are prohibited from accepting cash or other remuneration or consideration for admission to an event without issuance of a ticket reflecting the price paidfor admission. (D) All tickets shall reflect the price thereof and event date. (E) All tickets shall be consecutively numbered, individually bar coded, or otherwise numbered in a manner easily grouped, counted, and identifiable by the

(F) All tickets shall have a stub indicating the price and row or seat number, which shall be detached and retained for later auditing and accounting by the commission, or bar code scanned, and records thereof maintained in a commission- approved manner, and a ticket manifest or similar record shall be produced upon request. (G) All tickets shall have a coupon or portion thereof which may be retained by the purchaser thereof. (H)(i) All ticket stubs, except electronically redeemed tickets, must be deposited into a locked container at the event entrance or entrances. (ii) Each ticket container must remain in the possession of the ticket- taker until after the close of the event and only be surrendered by the said ticket-taker in the presence of the promoter or inspector. (iii) The inspector may, at his or her discretion, require the ticket box be opened only in his or her presence. DRAFT 8 12/20/2024 10:13:08 AM

(iv) If the inspector deems necessary, all admission ticket stubs shall, immediately after the ticket box is opened, be sorted by price and counted by the commission, the inspector, or by a person authorized by the inspector. (I) Unless otherwise designated by the promoter to have a higher value and for purposes of calculating commission fees, complimentary, give away, or promotional event tickets representing five percent (5%) or less of the event tickets sold shall be exempted from the commission fee computation. 17 CAR §225-908. Rings, mats, and contest areas. The ring shall: (1) Not be less than sixteen feet (16') square; (2)(A) Have an apron or floor area outside the ropes which extends at least

two feet (2') beyond the ropes on all sides.

(B) Variances can be granted; (3) Have a floor area, both inside and outside the ropes, padded with ensolite or other similar closed-cell foam of at least one-inch thickness and approved by the State Athletic Commission; (4) Have a top covering made of canvas or similar material tightly stretched and laced to the ring platform; (5) Not have a floor covering consisting of a material which tends to gather in lumps or ridges; (6) Not be more than five feet (5') above the ground, unless previously approved by the commission; (7) Have at least two (2) sets of steps for use by participants and officials; (8) Have posts made of metal not less than three inches (3") in diameter and

at least eighteen inches (18") away from the ropes;

(9) Have turnbuckles and corners protected with a urethane pad covered with a material similar to: (A) The ring floor covering; (B) Plasticized rubber; or DRAFT 9 12/20/2024 10:13:08 AM

(C) Vinyl; (10) Have at least three (3) ropes, not less than one inch (1") in diameter and

evenly spaced, with the lower rope being eighteen inches (18") above the ring floor unless five (5) ropes are used in which case the lowest rope shall be six inches (6")

above the floor, and all ropes wrapped in soft plasticized rubber, vinyl, or cloth material, and be consistent with specifications under different formats of combative competition; and (11)(A) Have sufficient strength and safety in both the floor and support structure to safely hold the actively moving weight of all participants, officials, seconds, and other persons and equipment which may be simultaneously inside the ring. (B) Liability for structure failure shall fall upon promoter for commission evaluation. 17 CAR §225-909. Technical zone. (a) The technical zone shall be: (1)(A) Under the exclusive control of the State Athletic Commission, designated employee or employees, and inspectors at each event. (B) The commission may require, following a prior problem with the same issue, that the area be separated from the spectator areas on all sides using a barrier approved in advance by the commission; (2) Free of all alcoholic beverages, paid spectator seats, and nonessential persons; and (3) Protected by promoter's security or staff personnel from access by anyone other than persons permitted by the commission, designated employee or employees, or inspector assigned to the event, which admitted persons shall be properly credentialed prior to entry. (b) A seating and arrangement diagram may be required in advance by the

17 CAR §225-910. Participants. DRAFT 10 12/20/2024 10:13:08 AM

Participants shall sign all necessary forms and releases and otherwise authorize the State Athletic Commission and any of its representatives, agents, or inspectors to

inquire, receive, and discuss participant's medical history, medical conditions, and test

results with any healthcare provider. 17 CAR §225-911. Inspectors. (a) The State Athletic Commission may be represented in person by commission member or members and duly appointed inspector or inspectors at any event for the purpose of supervising, enforcing, and ensuring compliance with the law and this part. (b) Inspectors shall not have any direct or indirect financial interest in or familial connection with any participant participating in any event to which they have been assigned. (c) Appointment of inspectors shall be at the discretion of the commission or designated employee or employees. (d) The inspector shall perform any duties assigned from time to time by the commission or designated employee or employees. (e) Before and during an event to which the inspector has been assigned, the inspector shall: (1) Check all persons in attendance and participating in the event for the appropriate credentials and commission licenses; (2) Be present, if required by the commission or designated employee or employees, at the weigh-ins to supervise the same and ensure completion of the required forms and compliance with this part; (3) Ensure compliance with the law and this part by inspecting all participants,

participants' hand wraps, participants' equipment, and seconds' equipment and

materials prior to the beginning of the contest; (4) Ensure compliance with the law and this part by observing the conduct of participants or any other licensed person or persons subject to regulation under the law and this part; and (5) Complete all forms, reports, and tests required by the commission. DRAFT 11 12/20/2024 10:13:08 AM

17 CAR §225-212. Promoters. A promoter shall as a condition of licensure or continued licensure: (1)(A) At all times comply with Arkansas Code § 17-22-101 et seq., this part, and the instructions and directives of the State Athletic Commission, designated employee or employees, and inspector or inspectors assigned to the event. (B) Simultaneously with submission of the promoter's license application, submit to the commission proof of having reached twenty-one (21) years of age or in the case of a legal entity, be owned, operated, and controlled by an individual no less than twenty-one (21) years of age, and said entity shall sign an affidavit stating that entity has read Arkansas Code § 17-22-101 et seq. and this part and understands them,

prior to issuance of a promoter's license;

(2) At least ten (10) days prior to an event, provide the following to the

commission at promoter's sole expense:

(A)The name and contact information for the entity with whom the promoter has contracted to provide: (i) An ambulance or authorized emergency vehicle for medical support; (ii) At least two (2) emergency medical technicians or paramedics; and (iii) Appropriate medical equipment all to be on site for the duration of the event; and (B) The proposed list of participants including, without limitation, each

participant's properly spelled, full legal name and date of birth;

(3) Ensure all participants are licensed; (4) Ensure all participants are physically fit and properly trained to participate; (5) Ensure the safety of all participants, officials, media, and fans by complying with the safety standards required by the commission; (6) Ensure event or arena security measures are adequate and sufficient to maintain order; DRAFT 12 12/20/2024 10:13:08 AM

(7) Ensure that state-certified emergency medical technician or technicians be present during the entirety of the event; (8) Ensure that any pyrotechnics have prior approval of the State Fire Marshal or pyrotechnics will not be allowed; (9) Ensure the promoter or promoter's representative is readily accessible and available to the officials and the commission during the entirety of the event, which

promoter or promoter's representative should be identified to the commission and

officials prior to the start of the event; and (10) Not violate any contract or breach any agreement relating to an event.

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