Whenever estates, rights, interests, easements, and privileges in lands or other real property can be acquired at prices reasonable in the judgment of the state properties committee, the acquiring authority is authorized and empowered to acquire the estates, rights, interests, easements, and privileges by purchase. The state controller, upon the passage of title to the state, is authorized and directed, upon receipt by him or her of proper and duly authenticated vouchers, to draw his or her order upon the general treasurer for the payment of the purchase price therefor out of the amount appropriated to the acquiring authority.