Any person, association of persons or corporation authorized to transact business in the state, occupying any lands the title to which is acquired by the state by operation of law, shall have a preference right to lease same in accordance with the provisions of this chapter; provided application so to do is made within thirty days from and after the acquisition of such title. Persons, associations of persons or corporations having domicile or paying taxes in the state, applying to lease state lands, shall in all cases be given preference provided the rental or royalty offered to be paid be at least equal to that otherwise obtainable.

History: Laws 1912, ch. 82, § 23; Code 1915, § 5200; C.S. 1929, § 132-123; 1941 Comp., § 8-852; 1953 Comp., § 7-8-57.

Bracketed material. — The bracketed material was inserted by the compiler and is not part of the law.

Compiler's notes. — The words "this chapter" apparently refer to ch. 102 of the 1915 Code, §§ 5178 to 5290, the presently effective sections of which are compiled herein as 19-1-1, 19-1-2, 19-1-4 to 19-1-6, 19-1-9 to 19-1-16, 19-1-21, 19-2-1, 19-5-3 to 19-5-10, 19-6-1 to 19-6-7, 19-7-1, 19-7-7, 19-7-8, 19-7-11, 19-7-13, 19-7-19 to 19-7-22, 19-7-25, 19-7-27 to 19-7-30, 19-7-34, 19-7-36, 19-7-50 to 19-7-53, 19-7-57, 19-7-58, 19-7-64 to 19-7-67, 19-8-1 to 19-8-3, 19-8-10, 19-8-12, 19-8-13, 19-9-1 to 19-9-8, 19-11-10 NMSA 1978.

Cross references. — For preference in leasing to departments of state for purpose of erecting state buildings, see 19-7-27 NMSA 1978.

For right of existing grazing lessee to meet higher rental offer of new lease applicant, see 19-7-49 NMSA 1978.

For lease preference rights of municipality, county or school district, see 19-7-56 NMSA 1978.

Section has no reference to renewal leases. State ex rel. McElroy v. Vesely, 1935-NMSC-096, 40 N.M. 19, 52 P.2d 1090.