It is the intention of the legislature by the passage of § 36-7-1 — § 36-7-31 to extend to the officers and employees of the several cities and towns of the state, including any department, division, agency, or instrumentality thereof, and to the officers and employees of the state, including any department, division, agency, or instrumentality of the state including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, quasi-municipal corporations, fire districts, water districts, water authorities, housing authorities and other independent instrumentalities organized and existing under the laws and authority of the state of Rhode Island, and to the dependents and survivors of such officers and employees, the old-age and survivors insurance provisions of title II of the federal Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 401 et seq.