Item 2: Ordinance on Mixed Martial Arts

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Public Hearing: An Ordinance Concerning Prohibition of Extreme Fighting; Repealing Section 4.740 of the Eugene Code, 1971; and Amending Section 4.990 of that Code Meeting Date: July 21, 2008 Agenda Item Number: 2 Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Keli Osborn www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5228 ISSUE STATEMENT The State of Oregon now has statutory and administrative rule provisions regulating amateur mixed martial arts, otherwise known as extreme or cage fighting. These state requirements preempt Eugene’s ordinance, adopted in January 2007, requiring repeal action at the local level. BACKGROUND In January 2007, the Eugene City Council adopted an ordinance prohibiting extreme fighting within the city, unless the extreme fighting matches complied with rules adopted by the City Manager. Those rules were established in March 2007. City Council action in early 2007 followed work sessions that were held in August and November 2006 and a public hearing in September 2006. At the time council took action on the ordinance, the City Attorney noted that the Oregon Boxing and Wrestling Commission anticipated working with the 2007 Oregon Legislature to regulate extreme fighting. The 2007 Oregon Legislature did address the issue, and amended Chapter 463 of the Oregon Revised Statues to require that the Superintendent of State Police license and regulate participants and officials for all professional boxing and professional and amateur mixed martial arts events in this state. The State’s permanent rules affecting promoters, professional boxers, professional and amateur mixed martial arts contestants, referees, timekeepers and others associated with the activities went into effect June 13, 2008. Now that the permanent rule is in effect, it preempts any local regulation of extreme fighting. State regulations incorporate many, but not all, of the same protections found in Eugene’s regulations. Earlier this year, City of Eugene staff offered comments on the rule to highlight areas that had been of concern to the council, such as medical testing and insurance coverage for contestants. Because the City of Eugene no longer has authority to regulate amateur extreme fighting, it is necessary to repeal the ordinance and eliminate the local administrative rule. However, nothing in the Oregon Revised Statutes prevents a county or city from “…objecting to the holding of, or participating in, any boxing, mixed martial arts or entertainment wrestling event.” Objections to an event must be filed in writing with the Oregon State Athletic Commission. RELATED CITY POLICIES Regulations related to extreme fighting support an adopted council value for a Safe Community: A community where people feel safe, valued, and welcome. Specific policies include the existing Extreme Z:\CMO\2008 Council Agendas\M080721\S0807212.doc