All employees of the division of environmental quality and the INEEL oversight program of the department of health and welfare are transferred to the department of environmental quality. Such transfer shall in no manner affect the rights or privileges of any transferred employee under the public employee retirement system (chapter 13, title 59, Idaho Code), the group insurance plan (chapter 57, title 67, Idaho Code), or personnel system (chapter 53, title 67, Idaho Code). Additionally, when the department of health and welfare is used in terms of environmental protection, it shall mean the department of environmental quality.