Minnesota Statutes 317A.909 – Corporations for Religious Purposes
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:
Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 317A.909
- children: includes children by birth or adoption;
(9) "day" comprises the time from midnight to the next midnight;
(10) "fiscal year" means the year by or for which accounts are reckoned;
(11) "hereafter" means a reference to the time after the time when the law containing such word takes effect;
(12) "heretofore" means a reference to the time previous to the time when the law containing such word takes effect;
(13) "judicial sale" means a sale conducted by an officer or person authorized for the purpose by some competent tribunal;
(14) "minor" means an individual under the age of 18 years;
(15) "money" means lawful money of the United States;
(16) "night time" means the time from sunset to sunrise;
(17) "non compos mentis" refers to an individual of unsound mind;
(18) "notary" means a notary public;
(19) "now" in any provision of a law referring to other laws in force, or to persons in office, or to any facts or circumstances as existing, relates to the laws in force, or to the persons in office, or to the facts or circumstances existing, respectively, on the effective date of such provision;
(20) "verified" when used in reference to writings, means supported by oath or affirmation. See Minnesota Statutes 645.45
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
- state: extends to and includes the District of Columbia and the several territories. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
- Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
(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.