37-288

37-288. Forfeiture of leases; extension of time
for payment; penalty and interest on delinquent rental; automatic
termination for arrearage

A. A lessee of state lands violating any condition of the lease shall be in default
and shall forfeit the lease and the lessee's rights under the lease after cancellation
pursuant to section 37-289.

B. If the lessee fails to pay the rent when due, the department may extend the time
for payment an additional period not to exceed ninety days. The department shall not
extend the period for payment of rental more than three times in one lease year and in no
event for more than two hundred seventy days.

C. There shall be added to the delinquent rental a penalty and delinquent interest.
The delinquent interest shall be set by the state treasurer under section 37-247,
subsection D. The penalty shall be the greater of a minimum processing cost as
determined by the commissioner or five per cent. The delinquent rent, penalty and
interest shall be a lien on the improvements, crops and property on the land.

D. If, on a lease of ten years or less, the annual rental at any time is one
calendar year in arrears from the date the rental payment was due, the lease shall
automatically terminate and the department shall proceed to cancel it on the records of
the department.