State v. Moncrief

MACY, Justice.

This case involves the interpretation and construction of the royalty clauses contained in six oil and gas leases on common school and state law library lands. The district court entered partial summary judgment in favor of the lessees. The State has appealed.

We reverse.

The State raises the following issues:

“I. DID THE DISTRICT COURT ERR IN ITS INTERPRETATION OF THE LEASES WHEN IT RENDERED POR TIONS OF THE ROYALTY CLAUSE MEANINGLESS?

“II. DID THE DISTRICT COURT ERR BY APPLYING THE SCHOOL LAND TRUST IMPROPERLY IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROYALTY CLAUSE?”

The facts were stipulated to…