Nothing contained in this article shall estop the State from enacting proper laws for the conservation of the oil, gas and other mineral resources of the State and all leases and contracts made under authority of this article shall be subject to such laws; provided, that the Department of Health and Environmental Control may negotiate for leases of oil, gas, and other mineral rights upon all of the lands and waters of the State, including offshore marginal and submerged lands.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 1-363; 1952 Code Section 1-363; 1944 (43) 1428; 1958 (50) 1553; 2014 Act No. 121 (S.22), Pt V, Section 7.M, eff July 1, 2015.
Effect of Amendment
2014 Act No. 121, Section 7.M, substituted "Department of Health and Environmental Control" for "State Budget and Control Board", and made other nonsubstantive changes.