77-6-203. Bid deposit. (1) A person bidding for the lease of state lands shall deposit with the department, as evidence of good faith, a certified check, cashier's check, or money order in an amount equal to 100% of the annual rental bid in the case of grazing land and an amount equal to $20 per acre for each acre of agricultural land contained in the lease in the case of agricultural land on which the bid is made on a crop share basis.

(2) The department shall retain the deposit of the successful bidder, apply it on the rental for the first year of the lease only, and return any balance of the deposit at the end of the first year to the successful bidder. The department shall return the deposits of the unsuccessful bona fide bidders. If the department finds a bid has been submitted that is frivolous, forged, or a bad faith bid or a bid submitted for purposes of harassment, the deposit is forfeited. The department shall make a reasonable attempt to notify the bidder in writing of the forfeiture and reasons therefor.

(3) If the successful bidder fails to execute the lease for any reason, the deposit is forfeited.

(4) The department shall credit all forfeited deposits to the interest and income account of the proper trust.