(a) No suit, action or other proceeding, judicial or administrative, lawfully commenced, or which could have been commenced, by or against the director of taxation with regard to the petroleum products inspection law or by or against any officer of the state in such officer’s official capacity or in relation to the discharge of such officer’s official duties, shall abate by reason of the transfers effected under the provisions of this act. The court may allow any such suit, action or other proceeding to be maintained by or against the secretary of agriculture or any officer affected.

(b) No criminal action commenced or which could have been commenced by the state shall abate by the taking effect of this act.