Any person, firm or corporation entering into a formal contract with this state, any county thereof, municipality therein, or any public board, department, commission, or political subdivision of this state, for the construction or maintenance of public buildings, works or projects or the doing of repairs to any public building, works or projects shall be required before commencing same to execute the usual bond with good and sufficient sureties, as required by law, with the additional obligation that such contractor shall promptly make payment of all taxes, licenses, assessments, contributions, damages, penalties, and interest thereon, when and as the same may lawfully be due this state, or any county, municipality, board, department, commission or political subdivision thereof, by reason of and directly connected with the performance of such contract or any part thereof.

In default of the prompt payment of all such taxes, licenses, assessments, contributions, damages, penalties and interest thereon as may be due by any such contractor, a direct proceeding on said bond may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction by the proper officer or agency having lawful authority so to do to enforce such payment, the right to so proceed being cumulative and in addition to such other remedies as may be provided by law.

Nothing in this section shall be so construed as to repeal in any respect the provisions of any law having for its purpose the protection and enforcement of claims by persons furnishing labor or materials.