If any person shall have a lien upon any real or personal property, duly filed of record in the county in which the property is located and a junior lien (other than a lien for any tax) in favor of the state attaches to such property, such person may make a written request to the officer of the state charged with the administration of the laws in respect of which the lien of the state arises, to have the same extinguished. If, after appropriate investigation, it appears to such officer that the proceeds from the sale of the property would be insufficient to satisfy, in whole or in part, the lien of the state, or that the claim of the state has been satisfied, or by lapse of time or otherwise, has become unenforceable, such officer shall so report to the attorney general, who thereupon may issue a certificate of release which shall operate to release the property from such lien.