# Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-831: Powers and duties of the Department

> Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T54.1_SII_C8.1_S54.1-831

## Section

- **Citation:** Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-831
- **Heading:** Powers and duties of the Department
- **Jurisdiction:** Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Virginia Code / Title 54.1 / Subtitle II / Chapter 8.1 / Section 54.1-831

## Text

The Department shall administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter. In addition to the powers and duties otherwise conferred by law, the Director shall have the powers and duties of a regulatory board as contained in §§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-202 , and shall have the power and duty to:

1. Promulgate regulations in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) which implement the federal Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 (15 U.S.C. § 6301 et seq.) and protect the public against incompetent, unqualified, unscrupulous or unfit persons engaging in the activities regulated by this chapter.

The regulations shall include requirements for (i) initial authorization and renewal of the authorization; (ii) authorization and conduct of events; (iii) standards of practice for persons arranging, promoting, conducting, supervising, and participating in events; (iv) grounds for disciplinary actions against regulants; (v) records to be kept and maintained by regulants; (vi) the manner in which fees are to be accounted for and submitted to the Department, provided, however, that no gate fee shall be required for amateur-only events conducted by a sanctioning organization approved by the Director pursuant to § 54.1-829.1 ; and (vii) minimum health coverage for injuries sustained in a boxing or martial arts match. The Department shall have direct oversight of professional events to assure the safety and well-being of boxers, martial artists, and professional wrestlers, except that those portions of an event containing amateur bouts shall be conducted under the oversight of a sanctioning organization. Sanctioning organizations shall have sole responsibility for direct oversight of amateur-only events in which martial artists compete.

2. Charge each applicant for authorization and for renewals of authorization a nonrefundable fee subject to the provisions of § 54.1-113 and subdivision A 4 of § 54.1-201 . A sanctioning organization shall be subject to the application fee provisions of subsection D of § 54.1-829.1 .

3. Conduct investigations to determine the suitability of applicants for authorization and to determine the regulant's compliance with applicable statutes and regulations.

4. Conduct investigations as to whether monopolies, combinations, or other circumstances exist to restrain matches or exhibition bouts of boxing, martial arts, or professional wrestling anywhere in the Commonwealth. The Attorney General may assist investigations at the request of the Department.

5. Exercise jurisdiction over all boxing, martial arts, and professional wrestling conducted within the Commonwealth by any person, except where otherwise exempted.

1998, c. 895 ; 2010, c. 764 ; 2012, c. 769 ; 2015, cc. 216 , 264 ; 2016, c. 756 ; 2025, cc. 95 , 111 .

## Nearby sections

- [Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-828 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T54.1_SII_C8.1_S54.1-828.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-829 Authorization from Director required; bond; physical examination; emergency medical services vehicles; physician; health insurance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T54.1_SII_C8.1_S54.1-829.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-829.1 Sanctioning organization; amateur martial arts events](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T54.1_SII_C8.1_S54.1-829.1.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-830 Exemptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T54.1_SII_C8.1_S54.1-830.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-831 Powers and duties of the Department](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T54.1_SII_C8.1_S54.1-831.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-831.01 Boxing, Martial Arts, and Professional Wrestling Advisory Board](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T54.1_SII_C8.1_S54.1-831.01.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-831.1 Summary suspension of boxing license](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T54.1_SII_C8.1_S54.1-831.1.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-832 Director authorized to contract for certain services; award of contract; authority when no contract is in effect](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T54.1_SII_C8.1_S54.1-832.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-833 Reports; cable television systems; fee on receipts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T54.1_SII_C8.1_S54.1-833.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-834 Prohibited activities; penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T54.1_SII_C8.1_S54.1-834.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 54.1-835 Repealed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T54.1_SII_C8.1_S54.1-835.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T54.1_SII_C8.1_S54.1-831. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.