Sec. 1. 30-A MRSA §§2304 and 2305, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 and Pt. C, §106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, are further amended to read:

§2304. Tax status

Regional councils established in accordance with this Title are tax-exempt institutions which that are exempt only from income and sales taxes. Real and personal property are exempt from real and personal property taxation if they are owned and occupied by regional councils solely for their own purposes or owned and used by regional councils for the purpose of providing services to 2 or more municipalities. Services may include, but are not limited to, public transit facilities, solid waste facilities and hazardous waste facilities.

§2305. Construction

This subchapter shall must be liberally construed toward the end of enabling councils to implement municipal programs and services on behalf of member municipalities, while avoiding the creation of special districts or other legal or administrative entities to accomplish these purposes. Programs and services may include, but are not limited to, programs and services for transit, solid waste, household hazardous waste, economic development, code enforcement, general financial and administrative activities and joint purchasing.

Sec. 2. 30-A MRSA §2313, sub-§§1 and 2, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 and Pt. C, §106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, are further amended to read:

1. Powers. The council may:

A. Study any area governmental problems needs and opportunities common to 2 or more members of the council that it considers appropriate, including, but not limited to, matters affecting health, safety, welfare, education, economic conditions and regional development;

B. Promote cooperative arrangements and coordinate action among its members, including, but not limited to, transit services, joint purchasing, solid waste management and household waste management; and