ME LD1697

Increases maximum civil fines for pesticide violations from $1,500 to $10,000 for standard violations, and up to $50,000 for unauthorized applications where the violator substantially benefited financially

Raises repeat offense penalties from $4,000 to $75,000 for standard violations and up to $150,000 for repeat violations involving substantial benefit, within a 4-year lookback period

Doubles fines for private applicators from $500 to $1,000 for first violations and from $1,000 to $2,000 for repeat violations within 4 years

Requires the Board of Pesticides Control to adopt rules establishing a penalty schedule, allowing separate civil suits when pesticide migration affects multiple properties, and providing for property restoration as a penalty

Designates pesticides containing the active ingredient tebuthiuron as state restricted use pesticides