§153. Agencies may lease or administer through State Mineral and Energy Board

            A. Any agency may by resolution direct the State Mineral and Energy Board to lease or otherwise contract for the exploration, development, or use of its land. The bonus money, if any, received pursuant to any such contract shall be transmitted by the State Mineral and Energy Board to the agency. After the execution of the original contract, all rights and authority in connection therewith shall be vested in the agency to the same extent as if the agency had itself administered and executed the contract.

            B. Upon request, the State Mineral and Energy Board may administer and manage the leases and other contracts of any levee district, state university, state college, state penal or charitable institution, or agency, unit, or institution of the state. If the State Mineral and Energy Board agrees to administer and manage such contracts, the parties shall enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement to accomplish this purpose.

            Amended by Acts 1950, No. 290, §3; Acts 2008, No. 93, §1; Acts 2009, No. 196, §2, eff. July 1, 2009; Acts 2025, No. 458, §1, eff. Oct. 1, 2025.