New York Consolidated Laws, Workers' Compensation Law - WKC § 155. Saving clause

This article shall not affect pending actions, civil or criminal, brought by or against the department of labor, the industrial commissioner or the industrial board, but the same may be prosecuted or defended in the same manner and with the same effect as if this article had not been passed, by the industrial commissioner if the subject matter of the action or proceeding falls within his jurisdiction and otherwise by the workmen's compensation board or the chairman thereof.  Every rule, regulation, order, permit or license of the industrial commissioner or industrial board in force when this article takes effect shall continue in force until such rule, regulation or order be amended or repealed or such permit or license revoked or terminated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or of the labor law, or otherwise.  Any investigation, examination or proceeding undertaken, commenced or instituted by the industrial board or by any referee prior to the taking effect of this article may be conducted and continued to a final determination or conclusion in the same manner, and under the same terms and conditions and with the same effect as though this article had not been passed, by the workmen's compensation board or the chairman thereof, if the subject matter of the investigation, examination or proceeding falls within its or his jurisdiction by the terms of this act, and otherwise by the industrial commissioner.