(a) The commissioner shall conduct an investigation of the vacancy application.
(b) The investigation shall include:
(1) an evaluation of the vacancy application;
(2) a determination that the vacancy application was filed as provided by § 51.176; and
(3) a review of public records at the land office relating to the land claimed to be vacant.

(c) The investigation may include a review of:
(1) any survey conducted by a licensed state land surveyor or by the county surveyor of a county in which all or part of the land claimed to be vacant is located; or
(2) any documents or public records necessary to determine whether a vacancy exists, including a review of public records relating to the land claimed to be vacant at:
(A) the state archives; or
(B) any county in which all or part of the land claimed to be vacant is located.
(d) An investigation may include a survey requested by the commissioner under § 51.184 or a surveyor’s report as provided by § 51.185.
(e) The commissioner shall record the names of the persons consulted, the documents and surveys reviewed, and the relevant law and other materials used in the investigation.