(2) In transferring state-owned real property through sale or lease, to the extent consistent with applicable trust responsibilities, the state policy shall be to give right of first refusal to purchase in the following order:
(a) To the lessee of the land.
(b) Where the intended activity or use is similar to that of adjacent properties within the region:
(A) To adjacent landowners.
(B) To residents within the region.
(C) To persons outside the region. [1991 c.816 §2; 1995 c.589 §1]