Tex. Nat. Res. Code § 32.065

If land other than public school land is not under a valid lease or committed to a contract for development, the board may issue a permit for a geological, geophysical, or other survey or investigation of that land that will encourage the development of the land for oil, gas, or other minerals. The permit may be issued for the consideration and under the terms and conditions the board considers to be in the best interest of the state.