(a) Whenever a vacancy in the office of district magistrate judge exists at the time the appointment to fill such vacancy is made as provided in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 20-2914, and amendments thereto, the appointment shall be effective as of the official appointment date set by the supreme court.

(b) Any person appointed to the office of district magistrate judge as provided in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 20-2914, and amendments thereto, shall commence upon the duties of office on the date such appointment takes effect, and any such person appointed shall have all the rights, privileges, powers and jurisdiction prescribed by law for the office of district magistrate judge. Except as otherwise provided in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 20-337, and amendments thereto, any such judge shall be eligible for retention in office in the same manner and under the same conditions prescribed by law for the retention of district judges in judicial districts which have approved the proposition of nonpartisan selection of district court judges.