(a) Pass-through appropriations are prohibited. An agency director, assistant director, executive assistant, or any similar direct subordinate directing or permitting a pass-through appropriation shall be subject to disciplinary action or dismissal, or both, by the appropriate appointing authority.
(b) An agency director, assistant director, executive assistant, or any similar direct subordinate who violates this section shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor unless the agency director, assistant director, executive assistant, or any similar direct subordinate did not know and did not have reason to know of the pass-through appropriation. Acts constituting a violation of this chapter shall not be the basis for a violation of any other criminal law by the agency director, assistant director, executive assistant, or any similar direct subordinate or any other person.