As used in this chapter “public land” is limited to land belonging to the State which is subject to entry or has been entered and for which no certificate of purchase has been issued.
Introductory ProvisionsState Public Land
Section § 20590
This law defines 'public land' as state-owned land that can still be claimed or has been claimed, but no purchase certificate has been granted yet.
public land definition state-owned land land entry
Section § 20591
This law states that public land must follow the same laws that apply to districts as private land does. In other words, public land is treated the same as private land when it comes to district-related laws.
Public land is subject to all of the provisions of law relating to districts to the same extent and in the same manner as land in private ownership.
public land private land district laws
Section § 20592
If there's an impact on public land, any notice required by this law must be sent quickly to the State Lands Commission. This involves mailing a copy in a sealed, postage-paid envelope to their office.
When public land is affected, all notices required by this division shall promptly after issuance be served upon the State Lands Commission by mailing to its office a copy inclosed in a sealed envelope with postage prepaid.
public land State Lands Commission notice requirements
Section § 20593
This law section states that the State is not responsible for paying any fees, assessments, or charges that might arise under this chapter.
Nothing in this chapter creates any obligation against the State to pay any assessments or charges.
state obligation financial responsibility state payments
Section § 20594
This law says that public land cannot be sold because of unpaid district assessments if that land was unused when the assessment was made. However, the unpaid assessment remains a claim on the property. Before a patent, or claim of ownership, is issued, the applicant must get a certificate from the collector confirming that there are no overdue assessments or charges on the land.
No public land which was unentered at the time any assessment was levied against it by any district shall be sold for the delinquency of the assessment, but the assessment shall be and continue a lien upon the land, and no patent shall be issued therefor until the applicant presents a certificate from the collector stating that no unpaid assessments or charges are delinquent upon it.
public land unentered land delinquent assessment
