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An Act To Protect Maine's Lakes by Prohibiting the Discharge of Waste from Watercraft
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  38 MRSA §423, sub-§5  is enacted to read:
 
5.  Penalties.     Notwithstanding section 349, a person, firm, corporation or other legal entity that intentionally or knowingly violates subsection 1 commits a Class C crime.
Sec. 2. Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to provide notice at state boat launch facilities of penalties for violation of law prohibiting discharge of waste from watercraft. By July 1, 2018, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, shall ensure that signs describing the prohibition against the discharge of waste from watercraft under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 38, section 423, including the increased penalties for an intentional or knowing violation of that prohibition, are installed at all state boat launch facilities on fresh waters and may provide these signs, as available funds allow, for installation at other boat launch facilities, including municipal boat launch facilities, campground boat launch facilities and other commonly used boat launch sites.
 
SUMMARY
This bill enhances the penalty for an intentional or knowing violation of the law prohibiting the discharge of waste from watercraft into the inland waters of the State from a Class E crime to a Class C crime. The bill directs the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, by July 1, 2018, to ensure that signs describing this prohibition against the discharge of waste from watercraft, including the increased penalties for an intentional or knowing violation of the prohibition, are installed at all state boat launch facilities.