H. B. 2585

                        (By Delegates Border, Anderson, Ireland, Miller, Kessinger,

                          Zatezalo, Kelly, Cadle, R. Smith, L. Phillips and Caputo)

                        [Introduced February 4, 2015; referred to the

                        Committee on the Judiciary.]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §36-4-9b, relating to requiring leaseholders of mineral interests to notify the owners of the minerals when there is an assignment of the lease to another party.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §36-4-9b, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 4. COVENANTS.

§36-4-9b. Leaseholder of mineral interest; transfer; notice.

            In order that owners of the mineral interests may know who is responsible for any severance operations and who is responsible for paying royalties, leaseholders of mineral interests shall notify the owners of the minerals when there is an assignment of the lease to another party.

            NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require leaseholders of mineral interests to notify the owners of the minerals when there is an assignment of the lease to another party.

            This section is new; therefore, it has been completely underscored.