This was sent in by Bill Behrens on the Wrestling Rules meeting:  

Statement from Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission Board Chairman J.J. Biello on introduction of Senate Bill 413:

The goal of the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission is to protect the health, safety and well being of boxers, mixed martial artists, wrestlers and members of the public that attend licensed events and use the services of ticket brokers. We look forward to any direction from the Georgia General Assembly and Governor Perdue that will help the Commission accomplish this goal. The Commission greatly respects the legislative process and will delay decisions on professional wrestling rules while the General Assembly considers SB 413.

The proposed legislative changes will:

• Provide consistent oversight for all sports and licensees under the purview of the GAEC.
• Bring clarity and definition to the licensing of mixed martial arts, professional wrestling and professional boxing.
• Remove the ambiguity and inconsistencies of the current code.
• Send a message to promoters and licensees that the state of Georgia is serious about protecting competitors and the public. This legislative change will encourage a larger number of reputable licensees to do business in Georgia.

SB 413 was introduced on February 6, 2008 by State Senator Eric Johnson. The bill was assigned to the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities.