Sec. 1. 36 MRSA c. 105, sub-c. II-C is enacted to read:

SUBCHAPTER II-C

HISTORIC AND SCENIC PRESERVATION

§596.__Historic and scenic preservation

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

A.__"Historic property or resource" means a building, site, structure or object that is:

(1)__Listed in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places; or

(2)__Designated under guidelines established by a municipal ordinance as important because of its cultural, social, economic, political, architectural or archaeological history.

B.__"Improvement" means a change in the condition of real property brought about by the expenditure of labor or money for the preservation, rehabilitation, restoration or reconstruction of that real property.

C.__"Scenic view" or "significant vista" means a view from a public place of water, marshland, landscapes, farm fields, important structures, buffers along scenic roads or other visual elements important for preserving local character as determined by a municipality.

2.__Preservation of historic property or resource.__A municipality may reduce the property taxes imposed on a historic property or resource in accordance with the following provisions.

A.__A municipality may establish a local review board to designate a historic property or resource within the jurisdiction of that municipality.

B.__Property designated as a historic property or resource must be evaluated using criteria established in the National Register of Historic Places or by a local review board.

C.__Any improvement to a property designated as a historic property or resource must comply with the United States