Chapter 389 Oregon Laws 2005

AN ACT

HB 2511

Relating to a property tax exemption for property owned by fraternal organizations; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 307.134.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. ORS 307.134 is amended to read:

307.134. (1) For the purposes of ORS 307.136, “fraternal organization” means a corporation:

(a) Organized as a corporation not for profit under the laws of any state or national government;

(b) [Which] That is not solely a social club but is established under the lodge system with a ritualistic form of work and a representative form of government;

(c) [Which] That regularly engages in or provides financial support for some form of benevolent or charitable activity with the purpose of doing good to others rather than for the convenience of its members;

(d) In which no part of the corporation’s income [of which] is distributable to its members, directors or officers;

(e) In which no member, officer, agent or employee is paid, or directly or indirectly receives, in the form of salary or other compensation, an amount beyond that which is just and reasonable compensation commonly paid for such services rendered and which has been fixed and approved by the members, directors or other governing body of the corporation; and

(f) [Which] That is not a college fraternity or sorority.

(2) For the purposes of ORS 307.136, “fraternal organization” includes, but is not limited to, the grand and subordinate lodges of the Masons, the grand and subordinate lodges of the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Oregon State Grange, the American Legion, [and] the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the International Association of Lions Clubs, the Soroptimist International, the Rotary International and the Kiwanis International.

SECTION 2. The amendments to ORS 307.134 by section 1 of this 2005 Act apply to tax years beginning on or after July 1, 2006.

Approved by the Governor June 29, 2005

Filed in the office of Secretary of State June 29, 2005

Effective date January 1, 2006

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