No agent or officer of the State or any department or agency thereof, whose duty it is to expend money under an appropriation by the Legislature, shall contract any obligation on behalf of the State in excess of the appropriation. Whoever exceeds in his expenditure said appropriation shall not have any claim for reimbursement.  

Any person who knowingly violates this section shall be guilty of a Class E crime. All prosecutions under this section shall be by indictment and the fines inure to the State.   [PL 1977, c. 696, §42 (RPR).]