All Roll Calls
Yes: 153 • No: 5
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
8 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 6 costs, 1 mixed.
Licenses, bonds, and rules for promoters
Promoters must be licensed: $100–$300 per year; amateur event licenses are $25–$100 per year. Individual applicants must provide a Social Security number. You must post a bond before approval: at least $1,000 for amateur events and $5,000 for professional events. You cannot market a fight as a “championship” without regional or national significance and approval by a nationally recognized association. Contestants age 16+ may only fight for a purse or at paid‑admission events if both the promoter and the match are licensed.
Drug testing and steep penalties for fighters
The Commissioner can require drug testing. First offense: up to 1‑year suspension and a fine up to $1,500 or 40% of the purse. Second offense: up to 3‑year suspension and up to $3,000 or 70% of the purse. Third or later: lifetime suspension and up to $5,000 or 100% of the purse. Refusing a test counts the same as failing.
5% tax and reporting for promoters
Licensees must report articles of agreement, ticket sales, and TV receipts. Professional matches owe 5% of gross receipts (not counting TV rights). TV rights are taxed at 5% of their gross receipts. Amateur matches owe 5% of total gross receipts. If the fight is part of another event, the Commissioner decides the taxable share.
Round and gear limits for safety
Professional boxing, kickboxing, and similar non‑title fights may be up to 10 rounds; title fights up to 15. Each round is at most 3 minutes with at least 1 minute between. Fighters must wear gloves of at least 8 ounces, except listed bare‑knuckle and kickboxing bouts. Professional MMA and muay thai non‑title fights may be up to 3 rounds; title fights up to 5. MMA and muay thai rounds may be up to 5 minutes with at least 1 minute between.
Day-of-fight doctor exam required
You cannot compete unless a licensed doctor examines you on the day of the contest. The doctor must give a written note saying you are fit to fight.
No pay for sham or fake fights
You are not paid until you perform. If the Commissioner finds you did not give an honest effort, you are not paid. Taking part in a sham or fake match can bar you from future contests and is a legal violation.
Licenses for referees and ring staff
To work at covered matches, you must hold the right license. Annual fees: matchmakers $10–$100; physicians, managers, and judges $10–$20; timekeepers, contestants, and seconds $10–$20; referees $10–$40. Every event must have a licensed referee, and licensed groups must pay official fees. Applications must include a Social Security number. The Commissioner can stop a match and revoke licenses for violations.
State control and discipline of combat sports
The State Athletic Commissioner now has sole control over MMA, bare‑knuckle, muay thai, kickboxing, and boxing events in Nebraska. The Commissioner sets license rules and fees, can limit how many matches a city or group holds, and sets official qualifications. Licensees (not amateur contestants) can be fined up to $1,000 and suspended up to one year for misconduct. Before any administrative fine, you get a hearing with at least 10 days’ notice and can appeal. School, military, and some youth amateur events are excluded. Collected fines go to the State Treasurer.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ben Hansen
legislature
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 37 • No: 0 • Other: 12
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
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor on May 13, 2025
5/13/2025legislatureDispensing of reading at large approved
5/9/2025legislaturePassed on Final Reading 45-2*-2
5/9/2025legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
5/9/2025legislaturePresented to Governor on May 9, 2025
5/9/2025legislaturePlaced on Final Reading
5/6/2025legislatureEnrollment and Review ER63 adopted
5/1/2025legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
5/1/2025legislaturePlaced on Select File with ER63
4/30/2025legislatureEnrollment and Review ER63 filed
4/30/2025legislatureGeneral Affairs AM399 adopted
4/25/2025legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
4/25/2025legislaturePlaced on General File with AM399
2/27/2025legislatureGeneral Affairs AM399 filed
2/27/2025legislatureNotice of hearing for February 10, 2025
1/30/2025legislatureReferred to General Affairs Committee
1/24/2025legislatureDate of introduction
1/22/2025legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
5/13/2025
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted