Section 90-2-201 - Hydrocarbon and geology investigation program - purpose - grants(1) The bureau of mines and geology shall establish a hydrocarbon and geology investigation program to determine the existence of oil and gas deposits in the state. The purposes of the program are to determine if new methods of oil and gas production will improve production in existing oil and gas fields and to locate new fields containing oil and gas resources.(2) In prioritizing areas to investigate, the bureau of mines and geology shall first consider counties where there exists historical evidence of oil and gas production, including the counties of Blaine, Carter, Chouteau, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Fergus, Garfield, Glacier, Hill, Liberty, McCone, Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, Pondera, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Teton, Toole, Treasure, Valley, and Yellowstone.(3) The bureau of mines and geology may start an investigation when it has sufficient funds to conduct an investigation or in other circumstances the bureau determines appropriate.(4)(a) Within 1 year of starting an investigation, the bureau of mines and geology shall present the results of the investigation in the form of maps and text to: (i) the counties included in the investigation;(ii) the economic affairs interim committee; and(iii) the environmental quality council.(b) After the establishment of the program, the bureau of mines and geology shall report to the legislature in accordance with 5-11-210.(5)(a) To fulfill the requirements of subsections (1) and (2), the bureau of mines and geology may provide grants to faculty or students of any institution of higher education in the state in the areas of geology, geohydrology, civil engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, mining engineering, and petroleum engineering.(b) The bureau of mines and geology shall provide notice of available grants to all institutions of higher education in the state and post notice on its website.(c) Grant recipients pursuant to this subsection (5) shall report progress to the bureau of mines and geology at least twice a year in a manner determined by the bureau.(6) The bureau of mines and geology may accept appropriations, gifts, grants, and reimbursements to be used for the purposes of this section.Added by Laws 2021, Ch. 553,Sec. 1, eff. 7/1/2021, and applicable retroactively, within the meaning of 1-2-109, to certificates issued on or after January 1, 1976.