82-1-201. Release of record upon forfeiture, cancellation, or expiration of lease -- penalty. (1) When any oil, gas, or other mineral lease heretofore or hereafter executed and recorded is forfeited, canceled, or expires, it shall be the duty of the lessee, his successor, or assigns, within 60 days from the date of such forfeiture, cancellation, or expiration of any and all leases, to have such lease or abstract of such lease released from record in the county where the leased land is situated without cost to the owner thereof.
     (2) A lessee who fails to comply with subsection (1) within 30 days of written notice from the lessor is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $250.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 22, L. 1917; re-en. Sec. 6902, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Sec. 6902, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 218, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 73-114; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 365, L. 1985.