What does Civil Law in Texas reserve to the sovereign?

Civil law in Texas recognizes the state's ownership of mineral rights in areas that have not been otherwise claimed or allocated. This concept stems from the idea that the state retains certain rights and interests in natural resources as a means of managing and regulating those resources for the benefit of the public. Under Texas law, the state can reserve mineral rights when land is sold or otherwise transferred, ensuring that the government retains control over these valuable resources.

The correct option reflects the state's role in managing mineral resources, which is significant given Texas's extensive oil and gas deposits. This framework is crucial for understanding property rights and the division of interests in land ownership in Texas. In contrast, the other options touch on rights that may not be explicitly reserved to the state in the same manner as mineral rights, illustrating the unique position that mineral rights hold within the civil law context in Texas.