SB3356 - Dormant Mineral Interests Act

• Surface owners may bring court action to terminate dormant mineral interests unused for 20 or more years, regardless of whether the mineral owner's identity or location is known.

• Mineral interests are considered "used" if the owner conducts active mining operations, pays taxes on the interest, or records an instrument evidencing the claim within the 20-year period.

• Mineral interest owners can preserve their interests at any time by recording a notice of intent to preserve in the county records, preventing termination if recorded within 20 years before or after the action begins.

• If an action is filed, mineral owners may record a late preservation notice during litigation and pay the surface owner's litigation expenses to dismiss the case, except when the interest has been dormant for 40 or more years.

• A court order terminating a mineral interest merges it with the surface estate in proportionate shares when recorded, subject to existing tax liens.