Sec. 66.64. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD. (a) The board shall in a manner consistent with this subchapter:

(1) lease university lands for oil and gas exploration and development on terms, at times, and in the manner it may determine;

(2) contract for the sale or other disposition of oil and gas royalties taken in kind;

(3) adopt rules and policies for the administration and enforcement of this subchapter and leases issued under this subchapter;

(4) set fees and penalties for the administration and enforcement of this subchapter;

(5) set the terms of a contract for the development of university lands for oil and gas;

(6) approve agreements that commit the royalty interest in university lands on terms acceptable to the board; and

(7) exercise other powers and authority and perform other duties as may be reasonably necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of this subchapter.

(b) The board shall hold meetings and keep records of its proceedings in a manner consistent with the requirements of Chapter 551, Government Code. The board shall develop and implement policies which provide the public with a reasonable opportunity to appear before the board, to speak on an issue under the board's jurisdiction, or be heard with respect to a declaration of forfeiture. The board shall give written notice to each lessee whose leasehold interest may be forfeited. Such notice shall be given at least 21 days before the meeting at which the board will consider forfeiture of the lease. The notice shall state the time, date, and place of the meeting of the board and include a statement of the board's policy concerning the public's opportunity to be heard with respect to a declaration of forfeiture. Notice shall be properly given when mailed to the last known address of the lessee based on the records of the board of regents or, if the records do not contain an address, to any address that may reasonably be determined to be an address for the lessee.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, the records of the board are subject to the requirements of Chapter 552, Government Code.

(d) The financial transactions of the board are subject to audit by the state auditor in accordance with Chapter 321, Government Code.

(e) The board may delegate to the staff provided to it by the board of regents any duty except as prohibited by law.

(f) The board shall appoint a secretary.

Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1324, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998.