77-2-306. Who may purchase. (1) State lands shall be sold only to citizens of the United States, persons who have declared their intentions to become citizens, corporations organized under the laws of this state, or towns, cities, counties, or consolidated local governments of this state. No person shall be qualified to purchase state land who has not reached the age of 18 years. As far as possible to determine, the lands shall be sold only to actual settlers or to persons who will improve the same and not to persons who are likely to hold such lands for speculative purposes intending to resell the same at a higher price without having added anything to their value.
     (2) State lands may be sold to any sovereign state of the United States or to any board of trustees or public corporation or agency of such state created by such state as an agency or political subdivision thereof. Said lands may be purchased in the quantities set forth in 77-2-307 for use by such state, board of trustees, public corporation, agency, or political subdivision for educational or scientific purposes.
     (3) State lands located wholly within the exterior boundaries of the tribal government's reservation as recognized by the federal government may be sold to a tribal government as defined in 18-11-102. No sale involving land in excess of the acreage limitations in 77-2-307 may be made under this section without first consulting with the board of county commissioners of the county or counties in which the lands to be sold are located.

     History: En. Sec. 71, Ch. 60, L. 1927; re-en. Sec. 1805.71, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 95, L. 1949; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 10, L. 1959; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 184, L. 1961; amd. Sec. 19, Ch. 240, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 31, Ch. 94, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 81-908(part); amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 628, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 313, L. 1991.