36-5-108. Even rental offers.
If two (2) or more qualified applicants shall offer the same annual rental for the same lands, and such offers are the highest offers received and are equal to or above the minimum rental fixed by the board, and no preference exists in the old lessee, or if such old lessee does not exercise such preference, the director shall grant the lease to the applicant holding title to lands nearest to the lands applied for. When a preference exists in the old lessee under the provisions of this act, he shall be given fifteen (15) days notice by registered mail, and if he fails or refuses to file his acceptance together with the balance of the rental due for the first year, within the time specified, the lease shall be awarded automatically to the applicant offering to pay the highest annual rental, or in the event of even offers, shall be disposed of as hereinbefore provided.