(a) The conservation division of the department of agriculture shall be the successor in every way to the powers, duties and functions of the state conservation commission and the executive director of the state conservation commission in which the same were vested prior to the effective date of Kan. Stat. Ann. § 74-5,112 through 74-5,132, and amendments thereto. Every act performed in the exercise of such powers, duties and functions by or under the authority of the secretary of agriculture shall be deemed to have the same force and effect as if performed by the state conservation commission and the executive director of the state conservation commission in which such powers, duties and functions were vested prior to the effective date of Kan. Stat. Ann. § 74-5,112 through 74-5,132, and amendments thereto.

(b) Whenever the state conservation commission or the executive director of the state conservation commission, or words of like effect, are referred to or designated by a statute, contract, memorandum of understanding, plan, grant, waiver or other document, such reference or designation shall be deemed to apply to the conservation division within the department of agriculture or the executive director of the conservation division under the secretary of agriculture.

(c) All rules and regulations, orders and directives of the state conservation commission or the executive director of the state conservation commission that are in effect on the effective date of Kan. Stat. Ann. § 74-5,112 through 74-5,132, and amendments thereto, shall continue to be effective and shall be deemed to be rules and regulations, orders and directives of the conservation division of the Kansas department of agriculture until revised, amended, revoked or nullified pursuant to law by the secretary of agriculture.