Transfer of functions, personnel, equipment, funds, etc., to Department of Environmental Management.

(a) All employees engaged in duties pertaining to the functions transferred by this chapter to the department, shall be assigned to the department on October 1, 1982, to perform their usual duties, subject to any action that may be appropriate thereafter in accordance with the laws and rules governing personnel and employees.

(b) All files, books, papers, records, equipment, furniture, motor vehicles, any other tangible property, and any other asset employed in carrying out the powers, duties and functions transferred by this chapter to the department shall, on October 1, 1982, be transferred to the department.

(c) All reports, documents, surveys, books, records, files, correspondence, papers or other writings in the possession of any department, division, bureau, board, commission or other agency, the functions, powers and duties of which have been transferred to the department by this chapter, or which have been employed in carrying out the functions, powers and duties transferred by this chapter to the department shall, on October 1, 1982, be transferred to the department.

(d) All funds, credits or other moneys held in connection with the functions transferred by this chapter, shall be transferred to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management Fund created by Section 22-22A-11 on October 1, 1982. Subsequent to the transfer of all funds, credits or other moneys to the department for programs whose functions are transferred by this chapter to the department, the Water Improvement Commission Fund established by Section 22-22-10; the Safe Drinking Water Fund established by Section 22-23-51; the Well Driller Licensing Fund established by Section 22-24-10; the Operator's Certification Fund established by Section 22-25-10; and the Hazardous Waste Management Fund established by Section 22-30-23 are abolished, and any funds from any source whatsoever which may accrue to any of the foregoing funds in the future shall accrue to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

(e) Any appropriation made for the purpose of carrying out the powers, duties and functions transferred by this chapter to the department, shall on October 1, 1982, be transferred and credited to the department for the purpose of carrying out such transferred powers, duties and functions.

(f) Except where in conflict with provisions of this chapter, on October 1, 1982, all rules, regulations, standards, comprehensive plans for the prevention, abatement and control of pollution in this state; and all orders, permits, licenses, certificates, bonds and variances of the departments, divisions, boards, commissions, or other agencies, relating to the functions transferred by this chapter to the department, are enforceable as the rules, regulations, standards, plans, orders, permits, licenses, certificates, bonds and variances of the department and shall continue to be effective until revised, amended, repealed or nullified pursuant to law.

(g) All pending business before the boards, commissions, or agencies affected by this chapter, relating to the functions transferred by this chapter to the department, shall be continued and acted upon by the department. All existing contracts, obligations and memoranda of understanding pertaining to the functions transferred by this chapter to the department, shall remain in force and effect and shall be performed by the department.

(h) All state officials required to maintain contact with or provide services to any agency, board or commission affected by this chapter shall continue to perform such services for the department unless otherwise directed by this chapter.

(i) Neither the abolition of any agency nor any of the transfers authorized by this chapter shall affect the validity of any action performed by such agency, board or commission affected by this chapter, prior to October 1, 1982.

(j) Except where required elsewhere by the chapter, on October 1, 1982, the performance of any such transferred duties or functions by the department or its respective divisions shall have the same effect as if done by the former agency, board or commission referred to or designated by law or contract. The reference to or designation of the former agency, board or commissions shall apply to the department.

(k) During an appropriate transition period after October 1, 1982, the State Health Department shall continue to assist the department in personnel and fiscal matters in order to effect the smooth transition of such functions to the department.

(Acts 1982, No. 82-612, p. 1111, §9.)