(a) Except as provided in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 75-1001b the director of printing shall be the successor in every way to the powers, duties and functions of the state printer and state printing plant in which the same were vested prior to the effective date of this act, except as herein otherwise provided. Every act performed under the authority of the director of printing shall be deemed to have the same force and effect as if performed by the state printer and state printing plant in which such functions were vested prior to the effective date of this act.

(b) Except [as provided] in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 75-1001b, whenever the state printer or state printing plant, or words of like effect, is referred to or designated by a statute, contract or other document, such reference or designation shall be deemed to apply to the director of printing.

(c) No suit, action, or other proceeding, judicial or administrative, lawfully commenced, or which could have been commenced, by or against any existing state agency mentioned in this act, or by or against any officer of the state in his or her official capacity or in relation to the discharge of his or her official duties, shall abate by reason of the taking effect of reorganization under the provisions of this act. The court may allow any such suit, action, or other proceeding to be maintained by or against the successor of any such existing state agency, or any officer affected.

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