(a) Before offering tide and submerged lands for leasing under this chapter, or whenever any person files a written application with the Secretary requesting that lands be offered for leasing under this chapter, accompanying the same with the required fee, the Secretary shall hold a public hearing as provided in this section.
(b) Before granting a lease or inviting bids on any tide and submerged lands, the Secretary shall cause written notice describing the area under consideration and other pertinent information to be transmitted to:
(1) State Highway Department;
(2) Cabinet Committee on State Planning Issues;
(3) Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control;
(4) Department of Health and Social Services;
(5) State Geologist;
(6) The applicant, if any, requesting the hearing;
(7) Prospective applicants or bidders, by publication in 2 or more publications of general circulation in the oil and gas industry; and
(8) The public, by publication of the notice once each week for not less than 2 weeks in a newspaper of general circulation throughout the State and in addition in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the lands lie or the county or counties contiguous to the area under consideration for bidding.
(c) The notice shall set forth the place of hearing and shall set its time at not less than 20 days following the date of the last newspaper publication.
(d) The Secretary may appoint 1 of his or her employees to conduct hearings authorized under this section. An officer or employee of each interested State agency, board or commission named in subsection (b) of this section may question any witnesses appearing before the Secretary or the Secretary's representative, and any interested person may offer evidence and otherwise be heard.