Every State officer, deputy and employee is subject to the same penalties, civil or criminal, for any offense as are prescribed by existing law for the same offense by any officer, deputy or employee whose powers or duties are devolved upon him under any law creating a new department. No law creating a new department affects any act done, ratified, or confirmed, or any right accrued or established, or any offense committed, or any action or proceeding had or commenced in a civil or criminal cause before such law takes effect; but such right may be enforced, offense punished and action or proceeding prosecuted and continued by the department having or acquiring
jurisdiction of the subject matter to which such litigation or proceeding pertains, with the same effect as if the transfer of such rights powers, duties, responsibilities and jurisdiction had not been made to the department.