(a) Use of comments--The comments of the Commission which drafted this act may be consulted in the construction and application of its original provisions but the text of the act will control in the event of a conflict between text and comments.

(b) References to statutes and regulations--A reference in this act to a statute or to a regulation issued by a governmental agency includes the statute or regulation with all amendments and supplements thereto and any new statute or regulation substituted for such statute or regulation, as in force at the time of application of the provision of this act in which such reference is made, unless the specific language or the context of the reference in this act clearly includes only the statute or regulation as in force on the effective date of this act.

(c) References to public agencies and public officers--A reference in this act to a governmental agency, department, board, commission or other public body or to a public officer includes an entity or officer which succeeds to substantially the same functions as those performed by such public body or officer on the effective date of this act, unless the specific language or the context of the reference in this act clearly includes only the public body or officer on the effective date of this act.

(d) Construction of statements of powers of institutions--A power of an institution stated in this act to be subject to regulation of the department may be exercised, subject to the provisions of this act, in the absence of such regulation but a power which is stated to be subject to approval or permission of the department may not be exercised in the absence of such written approval or permission.

(e) Severability--The provisions of this act are severable so that if any provision or the application of this act in particular circumstances should be held to be invalid, such invalidity will not affect any other provision or application of this act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.

(f) References to penalty provisions--Provisions of this act for the violation of which specific penalties are imposed under chapter 21 of this act¹ are indicated by inclusion in the provisions of the phrase “subject to the penalty provisions of this act” or its equivalent.