Sec. 53.016.  ISSUANCE OF LEASE.  (a)  After receipt of the bonus payment set by the commissioner, the lease shall be issued by the commissioner under the provisions of this subchapter and shall be for a primary term not to exceed 20 years and as long after that time as the minerals are produced in paying quantities.
(b)  Any lease covering land adjacent to a military base shall require the lessee to forego the right to use the surface within 2,500 feet of the military base while exploiting the minerals.  The commissioner may include in the lease any other provision the commissioner considers necessary for protection of the interests of the state.
Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2470, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.  Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 5248, ch. 965, Sec. 11, eff. June 19, 1983;  Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 897, Sec. 49, eff. Sept. 1, 1993;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 15, eff. May 27, 2003.