Any board, commission or officer who has authority by law to appoint to office, or to employ any person in behalf of the state, or to place any person in charge of any property belonging to the state, or to authorize such person to receive into his custody moneys, securities or property belonging to the state, and of whom a bond is not otherwise required by law, may require of such person a bond in such penalty as such board, commission or officer may prescribe, and conditioned and payable as official bonds.