All apparent title and claims of the State of Mississippi to and for lands on account of their sale for delinquent taxes before January 1, 1950, held by the state on January 1, 1995, are hereby vacated and relinquished, leaving apparent title in those who would have been the owners of the land had not such sales been made, or their lawful grantees or assigns, if any, provided said grantees or assigns are now paying and have paid taxes on said property.
Miss. Code § 29-1-147