As I read the comments on this forum and continue research on the effects of regulatory changes enacted October 1, 2015 (HB 1455), I recognize HB 1455 has already created significant negative impact upon economies across the entire Commonwealth, especially as it pertains to the adverse effects youth amateur boxing has experienced. I believe HB 1455 has and will continue to adversely impact both the social and economic fabric of towns and cities across the entire Commonwealth. The social impact upon Virginia's youth may even be more long lasting and damaging than any negative financial impact could be. Youth amateur boxing has long been recognized as a useful and effective resource assisting families to redirect their children in positive and meaningful directions, providing a alternative to negative social pressures. Youth amateur boxing has become a source of family and civic pride for thousands of aspiring young athletes. The impact of HB 1455 on already fragile at risk youth who have discovered youth amateur boxing as a alternative to the social and economic challenges they face daily I expect will be nothing short of devastating. The worst possible circumstance that can and is likely already occuring is to dash the "hope" of at risk youth. I cannot fathom the the feelings of young Virginians who faces struggle daily to learn on October 1, 2015 their dreams of someday standing upon the podium as a Olympic Medalist are no longer. I think this sends a terrible message to the youth of our Commonwealth.
The financial impact upon all segments of the combat sports industry is already being experienced. To show one example, World Kickboxing Association has held their national tournament in Virginia for 15 years. Last year over 600 athletes and their associated support personnel descended upon Richmond to compete for a birth on TEAM USA to represent their respective state(s) and our nation in Spain. WKA Nationals in 2015 had a estimated economic impact on the City of Richmond to the tune of $1,000,000.oo. Nationals due to imposed regulatory changes of HB 1455 has now scheduled their national tournament for New York City 2016.
Youth amateur boxing events such as Silver Gloves and others have to my best knowledge been cancelled in Virginia across the entire Commonwealth. Boxing facilities are already experiencing a drop in youth membership.
USA Boxing, a National Governing Body of the United States Olympic Committee does a outstanding job of strict oversight of all youth amateur boxing events in Virginia. and across the nation. Virginia as of October 1, 2015 is the only state in the nation not recognizing USA Boxing as the sanctioning authority of youth amateur boxing. Essentially what I'm attempting to convey is in terms of youth amateur boxing and oversight conducted by USA Boxing, that system was not broken, was efficient, and effective prior to October 1, 2015. If my understanding of the purpose of DPOR is to assert regulatory authority in the least burdensome and intrusive manner possible, HB 1455 has ham strung DPOR and has effected youth amateur boxing in the most burdensome and intrusive manner possible, essentially ending youth amateur boxing in the Commonwealth. I would implore legislators and DPOR to exempt USA Boxing and youth amateur boxing within the Commonwealth from oversight by DPOR. There are several fine examples of how this may be accomplished via regulations of surrounding states such as Pennsylvania. I'm certain the Athletic Commissions of those states would be wiling to provide assistance in accomplishing that goal.
I host amateur mixed martial arts events in Winchester, a border city in the northern segment of the Commonwealth, within 20 miles of the West Virginia border. Should HB 1228 become law, I would seek to move my events from Winchester to West Virginia, under the regulatory authority of the West Virginia Athletic Commission. I cannot in good conscience support a bill that would grant monopoly status to a single sanctioning body that I believe through my own direct experience with said body, could not handle the volume of events currently conducted in Virginia. Mixed Martial Arts desperately needs to be fully regulated by DPOR in order to maintain a environment of consistency and fairness. Until such a time as DPOR fully regulates Mixed Martial Arts wthin the Commonwealth absent the use of approved sanctioning bodies, I believe it is within the best interest of the Commonwealth and the industry at large to utilize multiple sanctioning bodies in order to maintain some level of consistency and fairness while maintaining the principals of a free market economy and avoid a monopoly by a single body.
The goals of HB 1228 could be accomplished in a much less intrusive manner at minimal expense without interrupting the ability of legitimate businesses to grow within a free market economy. There is zero need for sanctioning bodies to possess 5 years of SCC filings or work 6 events among 3 separate promoters each of those 5 years, in order to meet the threshold of approval as is offered in HB 1228. The stated intention of the bill is to further enhance measures to reduce "Conflicts of Interest" between promoters and sanctioning bodies.
I would suggest a remedy :
1.) Require all sanctioning officials to sign a affidavit of disclosure revealing any conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest that may occur at each event, including any relationship any official may have with a promoter and/or a competitor.
2.) Require all sanctioning officials to acquire and maintain a certifcation of competency via training and certfication courses offered by the Association of Boxing Commissions at the expense of the sanctioning body and/or official.
3.) Bar amateur and professional athletes holding a registration and/or license with a approved sanctioning body and/or DPOR from holding any position with a approved sanctioning body and/or DPOR. (There should be a clear separation between athlete and official.)
Again, I respectfully submit these comment for review and thank you for nyour commitment to our Commonwealth and Industry