Chap. 389.—An ACT to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a new section
numbered 3573-a authorizing the leasing by the State of the beds of certain
waters within the jurisdiction of the State, for certain purposes. {H B 103}

Approved March 29, 1946

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia be amended by adding a new section
numbered thirty-five hundred seventy-three-a, as follows:

Section 3573-a. Leasing of the beds of certain waters—The At-
torney General with the consent and approval of the Governor, shall have
authority to lease the beds of such of the waters within the jurisdiction
of the State, without the Baylor survey as they deem proper, for periods
not exceeding five years, with the right to renew the same for additional
periods not exceeding five years each to such persons and upon such
terms as they deem expedient and proper, which leases shall authorize
the lessees to prospect for and take from the bottoms covered thereby,
oil, gas, and such other minerals and mineral substances as are therein
specified, provided that no such lease shall in any way affect or interfere
with the rights vouchsated to the people of the State concerning fishing,
fowling, and the catching and taking of oysters and other shellfish, in
and from the bottoms so leased, and the waters covering the same. <All
leases made under the authority granted by this section, shall be ex-
ecuted in the name and for and on behalf of the State, by the Attorney
Gencral, and shall be countersigned by the Governor; and the Commis-
sioner of lisheries and the Attorney General shall make reports to the
General Assembly of all such leases so made, such reports to be made on
or before the first day of December preceding the convening of each reg-
ular session thereof.
cus. 390, 391] ACTS OF ASSEMBLY 949