BOARD STAFF; EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION WITH STATE AGENCIES.

(a) The board of regents shall employ and compensate personnel to assist the board in the performance of its powers and duties under this subchapter or may assign employees of The University of Texas System to those duties.

(b) The members of the board, personnel and counsel employed or assigned to assist the board, the board of regents, staff of The University of Texas System, the commissioner and staff of the General Land Office, the board of regents and staff of The Texas A&M University System, the office of the comptroller, the office of the attorney general, and any other agency or official of the state with a reasonable business interest in state or university lands, minerals, or resources may consult with each other and exchange information related to the administration of leases, collection and disposition of royalties, whether in cash or in kind, and any other matter related to the lease, sale, or production of, or the exploration for, oil, gas, or any other mineral or resource, including geothermal, wind, and solar energy on state or university lands. The information so exchanged and consultations and related communications shall be or shall remain confidential and shall be privileged from discovery in the same manner and to the same extent as if the persons consulted, which includes counsel, were members of the same agency. Sections 52.134 and 52.140, Natural Resources Code, shall not prohibit the consultations or exchange of information provided for by this section; however, each agency receiving such confidential information is required to keep the information confidential under Sections 52.134 and 52.140, Natural Resources Code, as appropriate, and to take all reasonable actions necessary to protect the confidential and privileged nature of the information.