From and after January 1, 1974: (a) No suit, action, or other proceeding, judicial or administrative, lawfully commenced, or which could have been commenced, by or against any existing state or county agency mentioned in this act, or by or against any officer of the state or county in his official capacity or in relation to the discharge of his official duties, shall abate by reason of the taking effect of reorganization under the provisions of this act.
(b) No criminal action commenced or which could have been commenced by the state or county shall abate by the taking effect of this act.