Bill
HB 1195
Louisiana LSAC gains expanded authority to regulate all contests and exhibitions, tightens penalties and oversight, and imposes a 5% gross receipts tax with a $250,000 cap per even
Scope: Amusements/Sports; Louisiana State Athletic Commission (LSAC)
Purpose
- The bill amends and reenacts provisions governing the LSAC, clarifies regulatory authority over contests or exhibitions (including sports not explicitly named in current law), and strengthens enforcement, penalties, and disciplinary processes.
Key Provisions and Changes
1) Regulation of Contests and Exhibitions
- The LSAC may issue rules and regulations governing boxing, mixed technique events, wrestling contests or exhibitions, ticket sales, promoters, contestants, seconds, and managers.
- The commission may determine cases not explicitly covered in current law or rules, provided determinations are consistent with justice and the interests of boxing, mixed technique events, wrestling, and the authority granted by the chapter.
- No contest or exhibition may occur without complying with the chapter and LSAC rules, including official rules for sports requiring sanctioning (even if not expressly listed in the chapter).
- Maximum rounds: boxing contests/exhibitions shall not exceed 12 rounds (down from the current 20 rounds).
2) Licenses; Fees; Bond
- The bill retains the ability to revoke, suspend, or fine a license for cause after a hearing.
- Fines for licensure violations may be up to $5,000 (increased from the prior cap of $1,000).
3) Gross Receipts Tax (Section 67)
- A gross receipts tax applies to each contest or exhibition for the maintenance of the LSAC.
- Tax rate: 5% of gross receipts for each contest or exhibition.
- Applies to all facilities in the state where contests are conducted or televised (except amateur contests).
- Cap: total amount paid to the LSAC for a single live contest or exhibition shall not exceed $250,000 (increased from the prior cap of $50,000).
4) Noncompliance Penalties and Civil Remedies
- Noncompliance with the chapter can result in fines up to $500,000 (increased from the previous cap of $500).
- The LSAC may seek injunctive relief in court, including cease-and-desist orders, temporary restraining orders (TROs), preliminary injunctions, and permanent injunctions to stop prohibited activities.
- Cease-and-desist orders can be issued and enforced promptly; if not complied with within three business days, the LSAC may pursue injunctions.
- Injunction proceedings are to be conducted as summary matters, without a jury.
5) Disciplinary Actions and Licensure Proceedings
- After proper notice and hearing, the LSAC may refuse to license, refuse to renew, or restrict/suspend/revoke a license for violations of the chapter or rules, or for fraud/misrepresentation to obtain a license.
- Disciplinary actions follow Administrative Procedure Act processes, with rights to notice, hearing, adjudication, and appeal.
- If the commission prevails in a disciplinary action, it is entitled to reimbursement of associated costs (investigators, stenographers, attorney fees, etc.) as part of the decision.
- If the commission loses, it may be liable for the defendant’s attorney fees and costs.
Effective Provisions (Administrative/Timeline)
- The amendments apply to existing sections of R.S. 4:64, 4:65(C)(introductory paragraph), 4:67(A), 4:82, and 4:82.2, with the addition of R.S. 4:82.3.
- The bill includes standard transitional and administrative-rulemaking processes consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act.
Impact and Stakeholders
Notes
- The bill has a relatively broad enforcement and regulatory emphasis, aiming to modernize oversight, expand sanctioning authority, and ensure consistent application across combat/sports exhibitions in Louisiana.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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