(a) The funding board is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to offer for sale any and all bonds heretofore or hereafter authorized to be issued by the funding board, and to determine by resolution the maximum rate or rates of interest which such bonds shall bear.
(b) The funding board may enter into an agreement to sell its bonds under this chapter providing for delivery of its bonds not more than five (5) years or such greater period of time if recommended by the comptroller of the treasury or the comptroller's designee, from the date of execution of such agreement or, in the case of refunding bonds, the earlier of the first date on which the bonds being refunded can be optionally redeemed resulting in cost savings or be optionally redeemed at par.