State Beat

Arizona

M. J. Hassell, Arizona State Land Commissioner, underwent knee replacement surgery on both legs in September. He is recuperating and undergoing physical therapy at home and expects to be back at work in December.

New Mexico

Commissioner of Public Lands Ray Powell, a practicing veterinarian, announced recently that he plans to ask the New Mexico Legislature to strengthen laws on the abuse of animals. Powell's plan would increase penalties from a misdemeanor to a felony for violators and, in some cases, could result in a court order barring a person from owning a pet.

Oklahoma

The first land lease sale by the Oklahoma Land Commission in October was a tremendous success, reports Bill Howard, general counsel for the commission.

The auction of 82 parcels in 16 counties resulted in revenue of more than $5 million. The sale was so successful, a second one was scheduled for December.

South Dakota

With the support of the South Dakota Land Commissioner Curt Johnson, South Dakota voters passed a constitutional amendment that transfers investment authority for the Permanent Trust Fund from the Commissioner's Office to the South Dakota Investment Council. This will allow the Council, of which Johnson is a member, to professionally manage the fund and thus take the first step toward increasing assets.

Texas

Revenue from in-kind oil payments and a silent auction of West Texas oil and gas leases will add $16.2 million to Texas education coffers, according to Texas Land Commissioner Garry Mauro.

Proceeds from the West Texas silent auction on University of Texas-owned land will benefit the Permanent University Fund by $6.3 million. The Fund subsidizes institutions of higher education within the UT and A&M systems, and university officials say the amount brought in makes this the best Board for Lease of University Lands sale since November 1983. (The Land Commissioner is a member of the Board for Lease.)

By accepting 45 percent of the royalties due to the Permanent School Fund in oil, rather than taking in the cash and then marketing the oil themselves, the Permanent School Fund will receive about $9.9 million. (The Permanent School Fund is for public schools in Texas.)

"We intend to continue this program as long as it enhances Permanent School Fund income," said Commissioner Mauro, who also functions as chairman of the School Land Board.