(a) Any person claiming to be the owner of land in this state known as sixteenth section school land, whose claim is based on a regular, unbroken chain of title for a period of not less than twelve (12) years, and to whose claim there has not been an adverse claimant for a period of not less than twelve (12) years, and the owner and those from whom he or she derived title have been in actual possession and have paid taxes thereon for a period of not less than twelve (12) years, and who is in actual possession at the time application is made to the state for a deed thereto, shall have all title, legal and equitable, that the State of Arkansas may have or appear to have in any such lands vested in the owner or parties and their grantees.
(b) The Commissioner of State Lands, upon proper proof being made to him or her, is directed to execute a deed conveying to the parties all the right, title, and interest that the state may have in the lands.