5-1-7. General powers of commissioner--Plats and records--Sales and leases--Contracts and patents--Seal of office.The commissioner of school and public lands shall have the direction, management, and control of all lands heretofore granted or which may hereafter be granted to this state by the United States, or otherwise acquired, and of all the plats and records pertaining to the title thereto and the disposition thereof. He shall conduct all sales and have general supervision of all leasing of school and public lands. He shall issue all contracts and patents, and may approve or disapprove any lease submitted to him by the county auditors of the several counties. He shall keep on file all contracts and leases, and shall keep a complete record of all patents to school and public lands, and of all bonds and mortgages for moneys obtained from the permanent funds of school or endowment lands. He shall keep a seal for the use of his office to be known and designated as 'the seal of the commissioner of school and public lands.' Source: SL 1911, ch 224, §1; RC 1919, §5628; SDC 1939, §15.0101.
South Dakota Legal Code