(a) Any payments made to any judge of probate including, but not limited to, any payments pursuant to a mistaken interpretation of Section 12–13–20, are validated, ratified, and confirmed.
(b) The operation of this section shall be retroactive to October 1, 1990.
(c) The judge of probate serving on May 20, 2001, shall be entitled to continue receiving compensation at the rate in effect on that date until the expiration of his or her term.