MMA bill progressing
The bill introduced in April to regulate mixed martial arts in Massachusetts continues to work through the State House. As of Wednesday, the bill was being reviewed by the Senate’s Ways and Means Committee.
The bill was initially heard by the public safety and homeland security committee, chaired by Sen. James Timilty (D-Walpole), an MMA advocate. Timilty’s chief of staff, Matthew Moran, said the Ways and Means Committee could act on the bill as early as this week, sending it on to the Senate floor for debate.
The bill would still have to maneuver through numerous legislative channels before landing on Gov. Deval Patrick’s desk to be signed into law, but Moran said things are progressing as expected.
The major impetus for MMA regulation is the lure of a UFC event to Massachusetts, along with the its resultant millions in revenue. UFC general counsel Lawrence Epstein said at the April hearing that a target date for a TD Banknorth Garden show is the third Saturday in November.
The UFC typically needs 120 days notice to plan an event and Moran said the bill passage could accommodate that timetable, barring any setbacks.
MMA bill progressing in Massachusetts
MMA bill progressing The bill introduced in April to regulate mixed martial arts in Massachusetts continues to work through the State House. As of Wednesday, the bill was being reviewed by the Senate’s Ways and Means Committee. The bill was initially heard by the public safety and homeland security committee, chaired by Sen. James Timilty…
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