SECTION 155.40. Definitions; Exploration and Development Guide

(a) Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) commissioner--The commissioner of the General Land Office.

(2) GLO--The General Land Office.

(3) land trade lands--Lands, the surface of which have been sold or traded with both mineral rights and leasing rights retained by the state.

(4) person--Any individual, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity.

(5) PSF--The Permanent School Fund.

(6) Relinquishment Act lands--Any public free school or asylum lands, whether surveyed or unsurveyed, sold with a mineral classification or reservation between September 1, 1895, and August 21, 1931. For the purposes of this chapter and for convenience, the term "Relinquishment Act lands" shall encompass any other lands, including vacancy lands, patented with all minerals reserved to the state and expressly made subject to the leasing terms and procedures governing Relinquishment Act lands.

(7) Relinquishment Act leases--Leases of Relinquishment Act land issued for the development of geothermal energy and related resources pursuant to Texas Natural Resources Code, Chapter 141.

(8) RRC--The Texas Railroad Commission.

(9) SLB --The School Land Board.

(10) TDCJ--The Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

(11) TPWD--The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

(b) Exploration and development guide. For exploration and development for oil and gas, see Chapter 9 of this title (relating to Exploration and Leasing of State Oil and Gas). For exploration and development for minerals other than oil and gas, see Chapter 10 of this title (relating to Exploration and Development of State Minerals Other Than Oil and Gas). Geothermal Energy and related resources are explored for and leased in the following ways, depending upon the type of land.

(1) PSF lands: upland, submerged, and state-owned riverbeds and channels. Under prospect permits and leases issued by the commissioner and SLB or by sealed bid. See the Texas Natural Resources Code, Chapter 141, Subchapter C; §155.41 of this title (relating to Prospect Permits on State Lands); §155.42 of this title (relating to Mining Leases on Properties Subject to Prospect); and §155.43 of this title (relating to Exploration and Mining Leases for Minerals Subject to Sealed Bid).

(2) Relinquishment Act lands: Leased by surface owner as agent for the state. See the Texas Natural Resources Code, Chapter 53, Subchapter C; Chapter 141, Subchapter C; and §155.44 of this title (relating to Mining Leases on Relinquishment Act Lands).

(3) Land trade lands: Under prospect permits and/or leases issued by the commissioner and SLB. See the Texas Natural Resources Code, Chapter 53, Subchapter B; Chapter 141, Subchapter C; §155.41 of this title (relating to Prospect Permits on State Lands) and §155.42 of this title (relating to Mining Leases on Properties Subject to Prospect).

Source Note: The provisions of this §155.40 adopted to be effective November 15, 2000, 25 TexReg 11290