Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §12504-A is enacted to read:

§12504-A.__Fishing derby permits for educational institutions

1.__Permit required.__A person may not conduct a fishing derby held by an educational institution that awards prizes in excess of $10,000 for a single fishing derby without a permit issued under this section.__ For purposes of this section, "educational institution" means an accredited postsecondary educational institution incorporated, chartered or established under the laws of the State.

Each day a person violates this subsection, that person commits a Class E crime for which a minimum fine of $50 and an amount equal to twice the applicable license fee must be imposed.

2.__Application.__An educational institution seeking approval to conduct a fishing derby pursuant to this section must submit an application to the commissioner in a manner and form to be designated by the commissioner.__The application must include the educational institution's derby rules, any amendments or changes to the rules and a schedule of the dates, places and times of the proposed derby. The department shall accept applications after January 1st annually for derbies to be held during that year and process those applications in the order of receipt.

3.__Restrictions and requirements.__The following restrictions and requirements apply to permits issued under this section.

A.__Rules adopted by the commissioner pursuant to section 12504 are applicable to permits issued under this section, except rules limiting the cash value of prizes or concerning an ice fishing derby.

B. A fishing derby may be conducted only in bodies of water free of ice.

C.__ A person may not participate as an angler in a fishing derby unless that person is affiliated with the sponsoring educational institution, either as a student, a parent or sibling of a student, an alumnus or a staff member of the educational institution.__A student may invite a single

guest to participate in a derby held under this section.__