16th Section lands; revise leasing procedure for leases for oil, gas and mineral explorations.

SB 2246 would have revised Mississippi's rules for leasing "sixteenth section lands" (school-owned lands reserved for township school funding) to oil, gas, mineral, and clay exploration. It set minimum lease prices ($1 per acre bonus), minimum royalties (e.g., 3/16 of oil/gas value, 50¢ per ton for sulfur), required public newspaper notices in the county, and updated bidding procedures. The bill specifically affected school districts (as landowners), oil/gas/mining companies (as lessees), and local communities (through notice requirements). The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.