The establishment by law of the southwest Idaho treatment center at Nampa, Idaho, is hereby ratified and affirmed, and its operation continued; provided, however, that on and after the effective date of this act, the treatment center shall be in the general supervision, control and government of the state department of health and welfare. All rights and title to property, real and personal, belonging to or vested in the state board of health and welfare are hereby transferred and vested in the state department of health and welfare. The state department is empowered to acquire, by purchase or exchange, any property that in the judgment of the department is needful for the operation of the treatment center, and to dispose of, by sale or exchange, any property that in the judgment of the department is not needful for the operation of the same. The department of health and welfare shall have authority to administer the treatment center, to employ and release such personnel as are required for the operation of the treatment center, fix salaries, and to perform any other necessary and proper functions in the efficient and beneficial operation of the treatment center.