The commissioner shall insure against fire all buildings, machinery, or other property owned by the commissioner in the name of the state. The commissioner shall have insured all buildings or machinery leased, owned, or in his possession other than the state's property when requested to do so by the owners thereof. Further, he shall effect fire insurance on cotton that may be insured in such warehouses when so requested by the owner or owners thereof in the name of the owner. All insurance obtained by the commissioner under this Code section shall be placed in fire insurance companies authorized by law to do business in this state, provided that the commissioner shall not act in any capacity for any insurance company or receive any compensation from any insurance company, insurance agent, broker, or any person representing any insurance company as aforesaid, by division of commission or otherwise, in connection with the placing of any insurance.