Sec. 1. 36 MRSA §662 is enacted to read:

§662.__Tax exemption for citizens 65 years of age or older.

Beginning with the property tax year that starts April 1, 2000, any person having legal or beneficial title to real property in this State and who is liable for property taxes is entitled to an exemption from property tax for that portion of the property for which the exemption is sought consisting of the principal dwelling and no more than 10 contiguous acres if the person:

1.__Permanent resident.__Is a permanent resident of this State;

2.__At least 65 years of age.__Is 65 years of age or older and any adults domiciled with that person are 65 years of age or older; and

3.__Occupies home.__Occupies as a home the real property for which the person seeks relief.

A person meeting the qualifications set out in this section may file a claim for an exemption from the property tax with the tax assessor of the municipality in which the property is located and, upon approval, is exempt from the tax levied on that property for each year a claim for exemption is filed.

SUMMARY

This bill exempts from taxation property owned and occupied by a citizen of this State who is at least 65 years of age.