Sec. 51.296. TERM OF EASEMENTS. (a) The term for easements or leases granted under Sections 51.291 and 51.292 may be for any term the commissioner deems to be in the best interest of the state.

(b) The commissioner by rule shall set the amount of and shall collect money for damages to the surface of land dedicated to the permanent school fund.

(c) Money collected for surface damages shall be deposited in the special fund account described in Section 52.297 of this code.

(d) A right-of-way easement for a pipeline connecting onshore storage facilities with the offshore facilities of a deepwater port, as defined by the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 (33 U.S.C.A. Section 1501 et seq.), may be granted for a term coincident with the term of the license issued by the secretary of transportation pursuant to the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 (33 U.S.C.A. Section 1501 et seq.), and the easement may be renewed for additional terms of up to 10 years coincident with the term for each renewal of the license.

Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2439, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 624, Sec. 37, eff. Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 208, Sec. 7, eff. Aug. 31, 1987.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 387 (S.B. 654), Sec. 8, eff. June 15, 2007.