HB1164

House Bill 1164 amends existing Arkansas law regarding the Commissioner of State Lands' authority and duties in correcting errors arising from the erroneous sale of state-owned lands. The bill clarifies the Commissioner's power to rectify manifest errors in land descriptions and purchase amounts, including cases where land was sold incorrectly or title cannot be provided. It mandates that the Commissioner maintain records of errors related to swamp and overflowed lands, which may serve as evidence in state courts. The legislation provides a formal mechanism for issuing refunding certificates to purchasers when the state cannot fulfill a title transfer, requiring the Auditor of State to verify and process these refunds. Additionally, the bill affirms that the Commissioner's actions are legally binding unless challenged and overturned by a court of competent jurisdiction. Finally, it authorizes the Commissioner to collect fees for services rendered in the process of correcting these land records and titles.