58-154 SALE AND LEASE OF STATE LAND -- TIMBER -- MINERALS -- OTHER INTERESTS -- INTERFERENCE WITH APPLICATION, AUCTION OR BID PROCESS -- PENALTY.

TITLE 58

PUBLIC LANDS

CHAPTER 1

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS

58-154. Sale and lease of state land -- Timber -- Minerals -- Other interests -- Interference with application, auction or bid process -- Penalty. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, or corporation to offer to accept, or to accept, compensation of any type in exchange for the withdrawal of a bid, or for the withdrawal of an application to bid, lease, or purchase, any state owned land, or timber, minerals, or other interest, or for foregoing a right to bid at any auction for the sale or lease thereof. Further, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, partnership or corporation to offer to pay, or to pay, compensation of any type in exchange for the withdrawal of a bid, or for the withdrawal of an application to bid, lease, or purchase, any state owned land or timber, minerals, or other interest, or to cause or attempt to cause, another person, firm, partnership or corporation to forego a right to bid at any auction for the sale or lease thereof.

Every person, firm, partnership or corporation violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offense against the state. Such an offense shall be punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than three (3) months nor more than one (1) year, or by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a period not exceeding three (3) years, or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000).