Grievance Form

1. Definitions:

Grievance - A Grievance is defined as a dispute or disagreement relating to the interpretation or application of the Rules or Procedures of the Minnesota Combative Sports Commission or the Statutes of the State of Minnesota by the Combative Sports Commission.

Person - A Person is defined as any person or entity making a Grievance.

Commission - The Commission is the Minnesota Combative Sports Commission.

Executive Director - The Executive Director is defined as the duly appointed Executive Director of the Commission.

Grievant - A Grievant is defined as any Person making a Grievance.

2. Processing a Grievance

Grievances shall be resolved in conformance with the following procedure:

Step 1. A person claiming a violation of the Rules or Procedures of the Commission, or the Statutes of the State of Minnesota, by an action or decision by the Commission or

Executive Director shall, within 10 days after such alleged violation has occurred present such Grievance, in writing on a form prescribed by the Commission, to the Executive Director. The Executive Director shall discuss the Grievance with the Grievant and/or the Grievant’s representative and provide, in writing, an answer to such Step 1 within 10 calendar days after receipt.

A Grievance not resolved in Step 1, and appealed to Step 2 shall be presented in writing, on a form prescribed by the Commission, describing the nature of the Grievance, the facts on which it is based, the provision(s) of the Rules, Procedures or Statutes allegedly violated, the remedy requested, and shall be appealed to Step 2 within 10 calendar days after the answer of the Executive Director in Step 1. Any Grievance not appealed in writing to Step 2 by the Grievant within 10 calendar days shall be considered resolved.

Step 2. If appealed, the written Grievance shall be presented by the Grievant, and/or the

Grievant’s representative, and discussed with the Commission’s Grievance Committee at a hearing held by the Grievance Committee within 10 days of the receipt of the Grievance by the Committee. At the hearing, either party may record the proceedings, offer evidence from witnesses and present arguments. The Grievance Committee shall provide, in writing, an answer to Step 2, in writing, within 10 calendar days of the hearing.

A Grievance not resolved in Step 2 may be appealed to Step 3 within 10 calendar days after the receipt of the Grievance Committee’s answer in Step 2. Any Grievance not appealed, in writing, to Step 3, by either party, within 10 days shall be considered resolved.

Step 3. A Grievance not resolved in Step 2 and appealed to Step 3 by either the Grievant, or the Commission, shall be presented by the Appealing Party to the Commission at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission or a special meeting called for the purpose of hearing the Grievance. The Appeal to Step 3 shall be presented by the Grievant, and /or the Grievant's representative, or the Chair, or other member of the Commission Grievance Committee. At the hearing, the proceedings shall be recorded at the expense of the Commission, and either party may offer evidence under oath from witnesses and present arguments. The Commission shall provide an answer to Step 3, in writing, within 10 days of the hearing. No member of the Grievance Committee who participated in the decision in Step 2 shall participate in the hearing, or deliberations, or decision making on the Grievance in Step 3. A Grievance not resolved in Step 3 may be appealed to Step 4 by either the Grievant, or the Commission, and shall be submitted to binding Arbitration by the American Arbitration Association within 20 calendar days of the answer of the Commission in accordance with the appeal procedures of the Association.