(2) The rate of interest on the principal of the purchase cost and the terms and conditions for repayment shall be as determined by the department. The department may pledge, on behalf of the State of Oregon, for the retirement of such indebtedness, such reasonable sums from operating appropriations or service charges as is required for:
(a) The purchase or securing of steam heat, electrical current or energy from private persons or corporations for light, heat and power for any such public buildings.
(b) Transmitting and receiving messages by radio, telephone, telegraph or other device or system in the transaction of any or all business of the state or in which the state is interested.
(3) The department may make installment payments on such contracts on such purchase price. Such obligations shall not be deemed a general indebtedness of the state, but shall be payable out of appropriations made or provided for the operation and maintenance of such public buildings. In the case of telecommunications systems and all related equipment, repayment may be from service charges paid by agencies for the operation of the systems. [Amended by 1969 c.199 §33; 1983 c.424 §2]