Mineral rights; revert to surface owner after certain period of time.

HB 1079 would require mineral rights separated from surface ownership after January 1, 2027, to automatically revert to the surface owner if no oil or gas production occurs for ten consecutive years. It defines "nonproduction" as wells not located in the correct government sections for oil (quarter-quarter) or gas (one-half section). The ten-year period restarts after any production attempt or shut-in rental payment, but cannot expire within 180 days of restarting. This bill directly affects surface landowners and mineral rights holders in Mississippi, changing how unused mineral rights are handled after a decade of inactivity. The bill died in committee and has not become law.