South Dakota Fight Commission Bill Headed to Governor

PIERRE - A bill creating a state athletic commission to regulate boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts will be sent to South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard.

The state Senate passed a House-amended version of the bill by a 27-5 margin on Monday.

Supporters say a commission is needed to oversee the sports because unregulated professional matches are often conducted without proper rules, referees, testing and medical personnel.

The Legislature passed a similar law in 2009, but it expired last year because former Gov. Mike Rounds and Daugaard never appointed commissioners. Daugaard has said the previous measure was flawed because commissioners could have been personally liable if the body was sued.

Daugaard agreed to support the bill once it was changed to allow his office to appoint the commission's five members.

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