Coalbed methane gas; presumption of ownership. (HB1179)
Introduced By
Del. Bud Phillips (D-Castlewood)
Progress
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Introduced |
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Passed Committee |
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Passed House |
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Passed Senate |
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Signed by Governor |
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Became Law |
Description
Natural gas; presumption of ownership. Provides that the surface owner of real property shall be presumed to be the owner of any natural gas, including coalbed methane gas, below the surface unless the right to ownership or possession of the natural gas has been expressly conferred by deed or other instrument. The owner or lessee of a minerals estate shall bear the burden of proof to establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the ownership or possession of natural gas was transferred by the deed or instrument that created or severed the mineral estate. The Auditor of Public Accounts is required to audit escrow accounts containing gas royalties from units with unknown or disputed owners. View Full Text »
