Whenever the commission finds that it is in the best interests of the state for the acquisition of open space or for the purposes of consolidating, assembling, or managing parcels of land for the purposes authorized by this division, the commission may exchange school lands under its jurisdiction for lands owned by any state agency, political subdivision, or person, partnership, company, or corporation, or by the United States or any federal agency; provided, that the lands acquired pursuant to such exchange have equal or greater value than the lands conveyed.
Such acquired lands shall have the same status as to administration, control, and disposition as the lands conveyed.
The state may release the mineral rights in the lands conveyed, as provided in Section 6401, if it receives the mineral rights in the lands acquired.
Ca. Pub. Res. Code § 7303.5