Sec. 61503c.

(1) Notwithstanding section 61522, a person who knowingly violates section 61503a or 61503b is responsible for the payment of a civil fine of not more than $1,000.00. A default in the payment of a civil fine or costs ordered under this section or an installment of the fine or costs may be remedied by any means authorized under the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.101 to 600.9948.

(2) The attorney general or the lessor of a gas lease with respect to his or her lease may bring an action in circuit court for injunctive relief or damages, or both, against a person who violates section 61503a or 61503b.

(3) If a person who has entered into a gas lease as a lessee violates section 61503a or 61503b, each day the violation continues constitutes a separate offense only for 5 days; thereafter, each day the violation continues does not constitute a separate offense. If a person who has entered into a gas lease as a lessee violates section 61503a or 61503b and such a violation affects more than 1 lessor having an interest in the same well, pooled unit, or unitized area, the violation as to all lessors constitutes only 1 offense.

(4) If a court finds that a lessee deducted postproduction costs from a lessor's royalty contrary to section 61503b(1), the lessor may recover as damages the amount of postproduction costs deducted contrary to section 61503b(1) and may also recover reasonable attorney fees incurred in bringing the action unless the lessee endeavored to cure the alleged violation pursuant to subsection (5) prior to the bringing of the action. In addition, a lessee who prevails in litigation under this subsection may recover reasonable attorney fees incurred in defending an action under this subsection, if the court finds that the position taken by the lessor in the litigation was frivolous.

(5) A person shall not bring an action under this section unless the person has first given the lessee written notice of the alleged violation of section 61503a or 61503b, with reasonably comprehensive details, and allowed a period of at least 30 days for the lessee to cure the alleged violation.

History: Add. 1999, Act 247, Eff. Mar. 28, 2000 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 441, Imd. Eff. Jan. 9, 2001 Popular Name: Act 451Popular Name: NREPAPopular Name: Supervisor of Wells