State athletic commission; membership; executive director; deputies to be present at matches or exhibitions

Section 12. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings: ''Mixed martial arts'', as defined in section 32 of chapter 147. ''Unarmed combative sport'', as defined in said section 32 of said chapter 147. (b) There shall be within the office of public safety and inspections a commission, to be known as the state athletic commission, consisting of the commissioner of occupational licensure or their designee, and 4 persons to be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall have a background in the sport of boxing and 1 of whom shall have a background in the sport of mixed martial arts. Members shall serve for terms of 3 years or until a successor is appointed. The governor shall from time to time designate 1 member as chair. A quorum of 3 members shall be required for the commission to exercise its authority, and an affirmative vote of a majority of the commissioners present at a commission meeting shall be required for all commission actions. The members appointed by the governor may be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. (c) If a member is absent without justification for 4 consecutive meetings or for more than 50 per cent of the meetings in a single calendar year, the member's seat on the commission shall be vacant and the governor shall appoint a successor consistent with subsection (b). The commission shall, by rule, define what constitutes excused and unexcused absences. (d) Each commission member shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. (e) The commissioner of the division of occupational licensure shall appoint a full-time executive director to assume the role of the commission's administrative and executive head. The commission may, with the approval of the commissioner, establish qualifications for the executive director, which shall include: (i) minimum years of experience in unarmed combative sports; and (ii) skills and experience in management. The executive director shall devote their full time and attention to the commission's duties. The executive director shall be responsible for administering to the operation of the commission. The executive director may, subject to the review of the commission and approval of the commissioner of the division of occupational licensure, hire employees, consultants, agents and advisors, including, but not limited to, legal counsel, and shall attend the meetings of the commission. The executive director and any other employee of the commission shall be an employee of the division of occupational licensure. (f) The commission may deputize 1 or more persons to represent the commission and to be present at a match or exhibition held under sections 32 to 51, inclusive, of chapter 147; provided, however, that such deputies shall be compensated in an amount fixed by the commission, and approved by the commissioner of the division of occupational licensure, for each match or exhibition attended; and provided further, that the commission may, subject to approval of the commissioner of the division of occupational licensure, approve that such deputies be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. (g) No deputy shall be assigned to regulate an event under the authority or jurisdiction of the commission who has not received formal training on the laws and rules of the commission and related issues within the previous 12 months prior to the scheduled event. The commission may, subject to approval of the commissioner of the division of occupational licensure, reimburse deputies for necessary travel expenses incurred while attending a formal training.