(1) Any person, partnership, corporation, association or other legal entity, or any political subdivision may lease state lands for geothermal resources purposes; provided, all corporations not incorporated in Montana must obtain a certificate of authority to transact business in Montana; and provided further, that no officer or employee of an agency of the executive department of state government who is required to inspect or examine geothermal resource operations or otherwise to gather field information in regard to prospecting for geothermal resources or the production thereof, may take or hold such lease, nor shall any such person become interested in any manner in any geothermal lease on state lands.