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Michael Coachman on Environment |
The case relates to the ownership of minerals under Lake Sakakawea, which the Legislature sought to clarify last year through Senate Bill 2134. The lawsuit argues the law is unconstitutional.
The legislation is estimated to reduce state revenues by $205 million for 2017-19 through oil royalty that will be returned or not collected. The lawsuit claims the state owns all of the minerals under Lake Sakakawea and the legislation gives away the perpetual ownership of those minerals, worth an estimated $1.76 billion.
[Lawsuit plaintiffs claim that] "this illegal law harms taxpayers for the benefit of a small group of private parties." Other plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the state are Paul Sorum, a Republican candidate for governor in 2016, his running mate Michael Coachman.
