N.Y. Workers' Compensation Law § 155: Saving clause

§ 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order be amended or repealed or such permit or license revoked or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.