REPEAL CRIMES RELATED TO PRIZEFIGHTING S.B. 765 (S-1)-767: FLOOR SUMMARY
[Please see the PDF version of this analysis, if available, to view this image.]




Senate Bill 765 (Substitute S-1 as reported)
Senate Bills 766 and 767 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Ron Jelinek
Committee: Judiciary

CONTENT
Senate Bill 765 (S-1) would repeal Chapter 66 (Prize Fights) of the Michigan Penal Code. Under Chapter 66, it is a felony to be a party to or to engage, aid, or abet in a prize fight; to engage or assist in the training of any party to a prize fight; or knowingly to carry any person to or from a prize fight. It is a misdemeanor to be present willfully at a prize fight, to give or publish notice or invite any person to attend a prizefight, or to enter into any agreement or understanding or aid, advise, or counsel in the making of a prize fight.


Chapter 66 provides that it does not apply to any contests or exhibitions conducted, held, or given pursuant to the Michigan Unarmed Combat Regulatory Act.


Senate Bill 766 would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to delete the felonies of participating in prizefights and prizefight training from the sentencing guidelines. Currently, both offenses are Class G felonies against the public order, with a statutory maximum sentence of four years' imprisonment. The bill is tie-barred to Senate Bill 765.


Senate Bill 767 would amend the Michigan Unarmed Combat Regulatory Act to delete a provision specifying that any boxing, mixed martial arts, or sparring contest conforming to the requirements of that Act and to the rules of the Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth is not considered to be a prize fight for purposes of Chapter 66 of the Michigan Penal Code.


MCL 750.442-750.447 (S.B. 765) Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter 777.16v (S.B. 766) 338.3622 (S.B. 767)

FISCAL IMPACT
The bills would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on State and local government. There are no data to indicate how many offenders will be convicted, or have been convicted under Chapter 66 of the Michigan Penal Code. To the extent that the bills would decrease convictions, the State would incur lower incarceration costs. At present, the average annual cost of incarceration in a State correctional facility is $34,000 per prisoner and the average annual cost of felony probation is approximately $2,000 per prisoner. Local governments would avoid any costs associated with incarceration in local facilities, which vary by county.


Date Completed: 10-14-09 Fiscal Analyst: Matthew Grabowski

Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb765-767/0910