1. (1) The commission shall adopt rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, for the conduct of contests in the state.

2. (2) The rules shall include:

   1. (a) authority for:

      1. (i) stopping contests; and
      2. (ii) impounding purses with respect to contests when there is a question with respect to the contest, contestants, or any other licensee associated with the contest; and
   2. (b) reasonable and necessary provisions to ensure that all obligations of a promoter with respect to any promotion or contest are paid in accordance with agreements made by the promoter.

3. (3)

   1. (a) The commission may, in its discretion, exempt a contest and each contestant from the definition of unprofessional conduct found in Subsection 9-23-101(25)(f) after:

      1. (i) a promoter requests the exemption; and

      2. (ii) the commission considers relevant factors, including:

         1. (A) the experience of the contestants;
         2. (B) the win and loss records of each contestant;
         3. (C) each contestant's level of training; and
         4. (D) any other evidence relevant to the contestants' professionalism and the ability to safely conduct the contest.
   2. (b) The commission's hearing of a request for an exemption under this Subsection (3) is an informal adjudicative proceeding under Section 63G-4-202.
   3. (c) The commission's decision to grant or deny a request for an exemption under this Subsection (3) is not subject to agency review under Section 63G-4-301.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 362, 2022 General Session