(1) If the affairs of an association have been voluntarily liquidated as provided in articles 40 to 46 of this title and any liquidating dividends remain unclaimed after the approval of the final report of liquidation, the trustees for liquidation may transfer such unclaimed liquidating dividends to the commissioner. In case of such transfer or in case an association has been liquidated by the commissioner and any liquidating dividends remain unclaimed six years after the approval of the final report of such liquidation, the commissioner may elect to pay such unclaimed liquidating dividends to the state treasurer.

(2) Due notice of such election shall be given by publication once a week for four successive weeks in some newspaper of general circulation in the county in this state where the last principal place of business of such association was located. Within fifteen days after the first publication, the commissioner shall mail a copy of the notice to each person whose liquidating dividends are to be paid to the state treasurer at the last address appearing on the books of the association.

(3) After thirty days from the date of the last publication, the commissioner shall pay to the state treasurer any such liquidating dividends in his possession, less the costs of publication and mailing, and shall file with the state treasurer the affidavit of publication by the publisher and the affidavit of mailing by the commissioner, showing the dates of such publications and mailing. The state shall be answerable for such funds, without interest, anytime within twenty-one years after the same have been paid into the treasury, to such persons as shall be legally entitled thereto. After the lapse of twenty-one years from the time any such moneys have been paid into the state treasury, no claim therefor having been made and established by any person entitled thereto, said moneys shall become the property of the state and shall be transferred to the general fund.

(4) Payment to the state treasurer shall discharge the commissioner from any further liability or responsibility for such moneys.