Natural Resources Code § 52.180

Sec. 52.180. PAYMENTS UNDER PERMIT. The owner of a permit or combination of permits who desires to avail himself of the terms of this law, shall pay the state 10 cents per acre, annually in advance, for the second and third years, and shall likewise pay the owner of the soil 10 cents per acre for the first year of such permit, before availing himself of the privileges hereof, and a like sum thereafter annually in advance. A failure to make either of said payments shall subject the permit or permits to forfeiture by the commissioner, and when sufficiently informed of the facts which subject the permits to forfeiture, said commissioner shall forfeit the same by an endorsement of forfeiture upon the wrapper containing the papers relating to the permits and sign it officially. The payment of 10 cents per acre to the owner of the soil may be made to him or to the county clerk of the county in which the land is situated, and said clerk shall deposit such payment as he receives, in some bank at the county seat to the credit of the record owner of such land. If the owner of the soil refuses to accept such payment, said clerk shall withdraw such deposit and return it to the owner of the permit. The payment, or the tender of payment, shall be evidenced by the receipt of the owner or part owner or county clerk filed among the papers in the land office relating to such permits. Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 2460, ch. 871, art. I, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977.