To safeguard the interest of holders of warehouse receipts issued under this chapter, Chapter 19 of this title, and Chapter 7 of Title 36, the department shall require a surety bond or equivalent security from the applicant for a warehouse license for the faithful performance of his duties. The bond or other security must be in an amount of twenty-five thousand dollars for each warehouse. The bond must provide that the warehouseman personally shall account for and pay over, according to law, all money and property received by him and, in cases of default, the surety shall pay all damages, costs, and expenses resulting from the default. In the event of a default, the holder of the warehouse receipt may proceed directly against the warehouseman or surety or both on the bond to recover the loss and a surety or other insurer who has been required to respond financially upon the action must be subrogated to all rights of the holder of the warehouse receipt.

The department shall assist the warehousemen in obtaining their individual bonds at the best available rate under a group plan, when possible.