All powers and duties now vested by law with the department of administration with reference to the commodities surplus food distribution section are hereby transferred to and vested in the state department of social welfare. The commodities food surplus distribution section within the department of administration is hereby abolished and the state department of social welfare shall be vested with full authority, and shall be required to exercise such powers and perform such duties with reference to the commodities surplus food distribution section as have heretofore been vested in, and required to be performed by, the department of administration.

     All of the staff, records, files and other property including property held in trust belonging to the commodities surplus food distribution section within the department of administration shall be transferred to the department of social welfare and shall be continued as part of the staff, records, files and property of the department of social welfare.

     All hearings and proceedings of whatever nature now pending before the department of administration with respect to the commodities surplus food distribution section shall not be abated, but shall be transferred to the state department of social welfare, without notice to interested parties, and shall be conducted in the same manner and determined in accordance with the provisions of law concerning such hearings and proceedings. All orders, rules and regulations of the commodities surplus food distribution section shall continue in effect as though the transfer were not made and, to the extent applicable, they shall be binding upon the department of social welfare.

     All appropriations and all other funds necessary to carry out the duties, functions and responsibilities of the commodities surplus food distribution section shall be transferred to the state department of social welfare.

     The department of administration and the state department of social welfare shall make all other arrangements as are necessary to provide for the uninterrupted conduct of the services and functions of government as prescribed by this act.

     This act shall take effect on January 1, 1960.