New York MMA legislation clears first step

MMA legislation in New York took an important first step today. Today the bill passed the Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports. Of course as MMA Weekly describes there is still a long way to go,  

Out of 21 committee members, 11 votes are needed to pass the bill out of committee with a favorable review. If it passes, it then heads to the Codes Committee (for bills with legal implications) followed by the Ways and Means Committee (for bills with fiscal implications). Both committees will vote on the bill before passing it to the Assembly floor for a general vote.

A Senate companion bill to the MMA legislation is currently in its Cultural Affairs Committee.    

Remember that the New York Assembly breaks for the rest of the year in July so if this legislation issue isn't wrapped up by then, then we will have to wait till January of 2010.