70-19-301. Application to lands conveyed by state. The provisions of parts 3 and 4 apply to all lands sold and conveyed before July 1, 1955, by the state of Montana for which a valid consideration was received by the state, provided that the state, at the time of the sale or conveyance, was not precluded by the constitution of Montana or by the terms of the grant of the lands by the United States from selling and disposing of the land. An occupant of a public way or other ground dedicated or appropriated by the state to public use and not subject to sale may not acquire by reason of the occupancy any title to the public way or ground.