Higher education bonds or certificates, legal investments and security.

Notwithstanding any restrictions on investments contained in any law of this state, the state and all public officers, municipal corporations, political subdivisions, and public bodies, all banks, bankers, trust companies, savings banks, building and loan associations, savings and loan associations, investment companies, and all persons carrying on an insurance business, and all executors, administrators, guardians, trustees, and other fiduciaries may legally invest any sinking funds, moneys or other funds belonging to them or within their control in higher education bonds or certificates issued under authority of s. 19, Art. XII of the State Constitution of 1885 or of s. 9(a), Art. XII of the State Constitution, as amended, and such bonds or certificates shall be authorized security for all public deposits, including, but not restricted to, deposits as authorized in s. 17.57, it being the purpose of this act to authorize any person, firm or corporation, association, political subdivision, body, and officer, public or private, to use any funds owned or controlled by them, including, but not limited to, sinking, insurance, investment, retirement, compensation, pension, and trust funds, and funds held on deposit, for the purchase of any such bonds or certificates, up to the amount as authorized by law to be invested in any type of security, including United States Government Bonds.