The attorney general is hereby authorized, with the approval of the governor, to commence any action or proceeding, in the name of the state, to recover upon any bonds or obligations of any other state of the United States which may now or hereafter be held or owned by the state, or any of its boards or departments, and upon any bonds held in any sinking fund or guaranty funds deposited or pledged with the state by trust companies, banks, fidelity or insurance companies, or held by the commissioner of commerce as liquidator.