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NebraskaLB635109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET

Authorize the regulation of professional bare-knuckle mixed martial arts, professional mixed martial arts on ice, professional muay thai, amateur muay thai, and amateur kickboxing by the State Athletic Commissioner

Sponsored By: Ben Hansen

Signed by Governor

General Affairs Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.

Drug testing and steep penalties for fighters

The Commissioner can set a banned‑substances list and require drug tests to compete. Failing or refusing a test counts the same. First offense: suspension up to 1 year and a fine up to $1,500 or 40% of your purse, whichever is greater. Second offense: suspension up to 3 years and a fine up to $3,000 or 70% of your purse. Third or later: lifetime suspension and a fine up to $5,000 or 100% of your purse.

Licenses, fees, and bonds for combat sports

Promoters, officials, contestants, and other roles must be licensed. Fees: amateur event licenses $25–$100; promoter licenses $100–$300; referees $10–$40; matchmakers $10–$100; physicians, managers, judges $10–$20; timekeepers, contestants, seconds $10–$20. Individual applicants must include a Social Security number. Bonds: at least $1,000 for amateur licenses and $5,000 for professional licenses. You cannot serve in these roles without a license.

5% tax on event and TV receipts

Licensees must file a written report for each event showing agreements, tickets, and receipts. You must pay 5% of gross receipts from professional matches (not counting TV rights). You must pay 5% of TV rights receipts. You must also pay 5% of gross receipts from amateur matches. If the fight is only part of a larger event, the Commissioner decides what portion is taxed.

Safety rules, doctors, and referees at matches

You cannot compete unless a licensed doctor examines you the day of the match and writes that you are fit. Every match must have a licensed referee who can stop the match and must name a winner. The event organizer pays referee and official fees set by the Commissioner. Pro boxing, kickboxing, bare‑knuckle boxing, and sparring are capped at 10 rounds (15 for championships) with 3‑minute rounds and 1‑minute breaks. Pro MMA, muay thai, and bare‑knuckle MMA are capped at 3 rounds (5 for championships) with 5‑minute rounds and 1‑minute breaks. Most contests require gloves of at least 8 ounces, except for listed bare‑knuckle or kickboxing matches.

State control and licensing for combat sports

The State Athletic Commissioner has sole control over listed professional and amateur combat sports in Nebraska. School, military, and recognized amateur events for contestants under 16 are excluded. Anyone 16 or older cannot compete for a prize or where admission is charged unless the event and promoter are licensed. The Commissioner can set rules, limit how many events happen in a week or a year, and fine licensees up to $1,000 or suspend them up to one year for sham or abusive conduct. Before any administrative fine, there is a hearing with at least 10 days’ written notice, and fines go to the State Treasurer as the Nebraska Constitution directs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ben Hansen

    Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 153 • No: 5

legislature vote • 5/9/2025

Final Reading

Yes: 45 • No: 2

legislature vote • 4/25/2025

Vote

Yes: 34 • No: 3 • Other: 12

legislature vote • 4/25/2025

Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0 • Other: 12

legislature vote • Unknown

Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0 • Other: 12

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor on May 13, 2025

    5/13/2025legislature

  2. Presented to Governor on May 9, 2025

    5/9/2025legislature

  3. President/Speaker signed

    5/9/2025legislature

  4. Passed on Final Reading 45-2*-2

    5/9/2025legislature

  5. Dispensing of reading at large approved

    5/9/2025legislature

  6. Placed on Final Reading

    5/6/2025legislature

  7. Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment

    5/1/2025legislature

  8. Enrollment and Review ER63 adopted

    5/1/2025legislature

  9. Enrollment and Review ER63 filed

    4/30/2025legislature

  10. Placed on Select File with ER63

    4/30/2025legislature

  11. Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

    4/25/2025legislature

  12. General Affairs AM399 adopted

    4/25/2025legislature

  13. General Affairs AM399 filed

    2/27/2025legislature

  14. Placed on General File with AM399

    2/27/2025legislature

  15. Notice of hearing for February 10, 2025

    1/30/2025legislature

  16. Referred to General Affairs Committee

    1/24/2025legislature

  17. Date of introduction

    1/22/2025legislature

Bill Text

  • Introduced

    1/22/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Slip Law

    PDF

  • Final / Enacted

    PDF

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