The property, both real and personal, of a district, whether held and operated by itself or leased to a private operator, for the purpose of providing mass transportation as provided in this chapter, is exempt from all registration fees, real, personal, excise, sales and use, and any other taxes which are assessed by the State or any political subdivision of the State. A district, or its lessee, or any person contracting with the district for the purpose of furnishing mass transportation, is entitled to be reimbursed and paid to the extent of the full amount of the tax paid for fuel used in motor vehicles owned and operated by them for that purpose. That district, lessee or person shall present its claim to the State Tax Assessor in the form and with any information that the State Tax Assessor requires, accompanied by original invoices showing the purchases. Applications for refunds as provided must be filed with the State Tax Assessor within 9 months from the date of purchase. [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]