Sec. 16. 1 MRSA §1019, as amended by PL 1977, c. 696, §12, is repealed.

Sec. 17. 1 MRSA §1019-A is enacted to read:

§1019-A.__Penalties

Violations of this subchapter are subject to the following penalties.

1.__False statement; willful failure to file.__A Legislator who willfully files a false statement or willfully fails to file a statement commits a Class E crime.__If the commission determines that a Legislator has willfully filed a false statement or has willfully failed to file a statement required by this subchapter, the commission shall refer its findings to the Attorney General.

2.__Civil penalties; late and incomplete statements.__A Legislator may be assessed a forfeiture of $10 for each business day a statement required under this subchapter is filed late.__A statement is not considered to be filed unless it substantially conforms to the requirements of this subchapter and is properly signed.__The commission shall determine whether a statement substantially conforms to the requirements of this subchapter.

3.__Conflict of interest.__If the commission determines that a Legislator has willfully failed to file a statement required by this subchapter or has willfully filed a false statement, the Legislator is presumed to have a conflict of interest on every question and is punishable as provided in section 1015.

Sec. 18. 3 MRSA §312-A, sub-§11-B is enacted to read:

11-B.__Pecuniary benefit.__"Pecuniary benefit" means any economic gain in any form except:

A.__Economic advantage generally applicable to the public;

B.__A meal, if the meal is provided by an industry or special interest organization as part of an informational