The Legislature on Tuesday gave final approval to a bill sponsored by state Sen. Don White, R-41st, to provide new options for the leasing of state-owned real property for mining and other resource extraction operations.

The bill was sent to the governor for enactment.

Under it, property owned by the state and the State System of Higher Education could be leased for mining or removal of valuable coal, oil, natural gas, coal bed methane, limestone and mineral resources. This includes Slippery Rock University.

“This legislation does not require the state or SSHE to lease or sell any property rights,” White said. “It simply provides a new opportunity to generate revenue, while helping students, supporting Pennsylvania’s environmental protection efforts and boosting our state economy through the creation of new jobs.”

The measure would give the Department of General Services the option to make the contracts.

Currently, only a few state agencies are authorized to enter into leases for resource development.

Payments received under contracts or leases on state-owned land would be split equally into four areas: the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund; the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority; the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s H2O PA program; and the Oil and Gas Lease Fund.