Financial interest by state employee prohibited

No employee of the state performing any function or duty under this chapter shall have a direct or indirect financial interest in any underground or strip coal mining operation. Whoever knowingly violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, and shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than two thousand and five hundred dollars ($2,500), or by imprisonment of not more than one (1) year, or both.