Sec. 1. 13 MRSA §1762, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 300, §1, is amended to read:

1. Property not tax-exempt. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, cooperative property does not qualify for property tax exemption under Title 36, section 652 652-A, subsection 1 2, paragraph A C.

Sec. 2. 36 MRSA §652, as amended by PL 1997, c. 668, §20, is repealed.

Sec. 3. 36 MRSA §652-A is enacted to read:

§652-A.__Exemptions for certain institutions and organizations

1.__Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A.__"Benevolent and charitable organization" includes, but is not limited to, hospitals, blood banks, health maintenance organizations, nursing homes, boarding homes, boarding care facilities, community mental health service facilities, chambers of commerce and boards of trade.

B.__"Nonprofit" means that the institution or organization is exempt from income taxation under Section 501 of the Code.

C.__"Parsonage" means the principal residence provided by a religious society for its cleric whether or not the residence is located in the same municipality as the house of religious worship where the cleric regularly conducts religious services.

2.__Institutions and organizations.__The following property of certain institutions and organizations is exempt from property taxation.

A.__Nonprofit religious institutions including:

(1)__Houses of religious worship, including vestries, and the pews and furniture within;

(2) Tombs and rights of burial; and

(3) Property owned and used by a religious society as a parsonage to the value of $20,000 and personal property