N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143B-23

Any business or other matter undertaken or commenced by any State agency or the commissioners or directors thereof, pertaining to or connected with the functions, powers, obligations, and duties hereby transferred to a principal State department, and pending on July 1, 1973, may be conducted and completed by the principal State department in the same manner and under the same terms and conditions and with the same effect as if conducted and completed by the State agency or commissioners and directors thereof.