1. Permit required. A person may not hold a regatta, race, boat exhibition or water-ski exhibition without a permit from the commissioner issued under subsection 2. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.

A.__A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.

B.__A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.

4. Requirements. The following restrictions requirements apply to permits issued under this section.

A. The person obtaining the permit under subsection 2 is responsible for providing shall provide reasonable protection, as prescribed by the commissioner, from water traffic interference and hazards and shall take reasonable precautions to safeguard persons and property.

B. During any event authorized pursuant to subsection 1, the officials conducting it shall conspicuously display one or more orange warning flags of a size not less than 4 feet by 4 feet while the event is in progress. The officials shall remove the warning flag or flags for reasonable periods of time during the event to allow nonparticipating watercraft to pass through the area.

Sec. 372. 12 MRSA §13061, sub-§4-A is enacted to read:

4-A. Penalty.__The following penalties apply to violations of subsection 4.

A.__A person who violates subsection 4 commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.

B.__A person who violates subsection 4 after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.