Senate Bill No. 168, introduced by Senator Womack, aims to establish a ten-year liberative prescription period for the collection of bonuses, rentals, royalties, shut-in payments, and other sums payable to the state under mineral leases. The bill enacts new provisions in R.S. 30:136(A)(1)(d) and Civil Code Article 3501.2, which specify that the right to collect these payments will be subject to a ten-year period from the due date of each payment, overriding the existing three-year prescription period outlined in Civil Code Article 3494(5).

The bill also clarifies that these provisions apply specifically to mineral leases granted by the state as lessor, ensuring that the state can effectively manage and collect payments related to its mineral resources. The proposed changes are set to take effect on August 1, 2025, and are intended to provide a more extended timeframe for the state to pursue collections, thereby enhancing the state's financial interests in mineral leases.