Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii SB148: Relating to Combat Sports.
Status: In committee, May 1, 2026
Establishes the Combat Sports Commission of Hawaii. Provides for regulation of combat sports. Prohibits no rules combat or similar contests. Repeals chapter 440E, HRS, relating to Mixed Martial Arts Contests. Appropriates funds.
What the bill says
A bill foran act relating to combat sports.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FORAN ACT RELATING TO COMBAT SPORTS. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii has embraced full-contact combat sports that allow the use of both striking and grappling techniques; involve both standing and on-the-ground; and blend boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo, and other styles. Combat sports events have drawn capacity crowds to the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena. The prestigious Ultimate Fighting Championship organization has never staged a show in Hawaii, but the idea has been floated many times. The legislature finds that to continue growing the combat sports industry in the State and to attract events like those staged by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Hawaii's boxing commission should be expanded to include combat sports. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to: (1) Rename the existing boxing commission of Hawaii to the combat sports commission of Hawaii and expand its SB148 SD2 LRB 25-1321.docx Page 2 S.B. NO. S.D. jurisdiction to include combat sports and mixed martial arts; and (2) Repeal the existing mixed martial arts program under chapter 440E, Hawaii Revised Statutes. SECTION 2. Chapter 440, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by designating sections 440-1 to 440-37 as part 1, and inserting a title before section 440-1 to read "General Provisions". SECTION 3. Chapter 440, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new …
Sponsors
- Jarrett Keohokalole (D, 24) · primary sponsor
- Stanley Chang (D, 9)
- Tim Richards (D, SD-004)
- Dru Kanuha (D, 3)
Latest actions
- : Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 5:30 PM; Conference Room 224.
- : Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 1:30PM; CR 224.
- : Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Thursday 04-30-26 1:30PM in conference room 224.
- : Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Wednesday, 04-29-26 1:30PM in conference room 224.
- : Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 739).
- : Senate Conferees Appointed: Keohokalole Chair; DeCoite, Wakai, Rhoads Co-Chairs; McKelvey, Awa.
- : Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 787).
- : House Conferees Appointed: Ilagan, Grandinetti, Poepoe, Hussey Co-Chairs; Tam, Gedeon.
- : Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710).
- : Senate disagrees with House amendments.
Votes
- Third Reading as amended in HD 3 with Representative(s) Shimizu voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Garcia, Muraoka, Pierick voting no (5) and Representative(s) Quinlan exc (April 14, 2026): 45 yea, 5 nay, passed
- FIN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 8, 2026): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Shimizu voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochra (March 21, 2025): 45 yea, 1 nay, passed
- JHA: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 18, 2025): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
- CPC: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 18, 2025): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC/JHA with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Holt, Iwamo (March 14, 2025): 46 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Appropriations, DCCA, Penalties, Rules, Combat Sports, Counties, Insurance
Common questions
- What is SB148?
- SB148 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Combat Sports.
- What does SB148 do?
- In its own words: A bill foran act relating to combat sports.
- What is the status of SB148?
- In committee as of May 1, 2026. Latest action: Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 5:30 PM; Conference Room 224. (May 1, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB148?
- Jarrett Keohokalole (D, 24), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB148?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=148&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.