(a) The Coal-Workers' Pneumoconiosis Fund shall be administered by the Executive Director of the Workers' Compensation Commission, who shall employ any employees necessary to discharge his or her duties and responsibilities under this article. All payments of salaries and expenses of the employees and all expenses peculiar to the administration of this article shall be made by the state Treasurer from the Coal-Workers' Pneumoconiosis Fund upon requisitions signed by the executive director.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, effective from the termination of the Workers' Compensation Commission, the Coal-Workers' Pneumoconiosis Fund shall be administered by the Insurance Commissioner, who shall employ any employees and contract with any parties necessary to discharge his or her duties and responsibilities under this article. All payments of salaries and expenses of the employees and all expenses peculiar to the administration of this article shall be made by the state Treasurer from the Coal-Workers' Pneumoconiosis Fund upon requisitions signed by the Insurance Commissioner: Provided, That the employers' mutual insurance company established pursuant to article two-c of this chapter shall be the administrator of the Coal-Workers' Pneumoconiosis Fund for a term not to exceed three years following the termination of the Workers' Compensation Commission pursuant to an agreement to be entered into between the Insurance Commissioner and the Company prior to the termination of the Workers' Compensation Commission. The Company's administrative duties may include, but not be limited to, receipt of all claims, processing said claims, providing for the payment of said claims through the state Treasurer's office and ensuring, through the selection and assignment of counsel, that claims decisions are properly defended. Any contract entered into by the Insurance Commissioner for the administration of the Coal-Workers' Pneumoconiosis Fund thereafter shall be subject to the procedures set forth in article three, chapter five-a of this code.