§ 317A.909 — Corporations for Religious Purposes
Plain-Language Summary
Applies to nonprofits formed for religious purposes and preserves their internal governance rights.
317A.909 CORPORATIONS FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES.
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Subdivision 1.Benefits for members.
When authorized by its members or otherwise, a corporation formed for a religious purpose may provide directly or through a church benefits board for:
(1) support and payment of benefits to its ministers, teachers, employees, or functionaries and to the ministers, teachers, employees, or functionaries of a nonprofit organization affiliated with it or under its jurisdiction;
(2) payment of benefits to the surviving spouses, children, dependents, or other beneficiaries of the persons named in clause (1);
(3) collection of contributions and other payments; or
(4) creation, maintenance, investment, management, and disbursement of necessary endowment, reserve, and other funds for these purposes, including a trust fund or corporation that funds a “church plan” as defined in section 414(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 1988. §
Subd. 2.Insurance laws not applicable.
The insurance laws of this state do not apply to the operations of a corporation under subdivision 1. §
Subd. 3.Property exempt from taxation.
Except for property leased or used for profit, personal and real property that a religious corporation necessarily uses for a religious purpose is exempt from taxation. §
Subd. 4.
[Repealed, 2005 c 10 art 2 s 5] §
Subd. 5.Church benefits board.
A “church benefits board” is an organization described in section 414(e)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 1988, whether a civil law corporation or otherwise, the principal purpose or function of which is the administration or funding of a plan or program for the provision of retirement benefits or welfare benefits for the employees of a church or a convention or association of churches, if the organization is controlled by or associated with a church or a convention or association of churches. §
Subd. 6.Church benefits board as trustee.
A church benefits board may act as trustee under a lawful trust and may act as agent for the performance of a lawful act relating to the purposes of the trust.
History:
1989 c 304 s 128; 2009 c 43 s 1
History: History: 1989 c 304 s 128; 2009 c 43 s 1