§ 117. Legislative intent. In so far as this article, as added by
chapter eight hundred forty-one of the laws of nineteen hundred
forty-seven, as amended by chapter five hundred three of the laws of
nineteen hundred forty-eight, as amended by chapter six hundred
forty-eight of the laws of nineteen hundred forty-nine, or as amended by
this act relates to rights to membership in or to rights or benefits of
members of the retirement system, it is the intent of the legislature to
codify the provisions of former articles four and five of the civil
service law which relate thereto and which were in effect immediately
prior thereto. No diminution or impairment, within the provisions of
article five, section seven of the state constitution, and no increase
of such rights or benefits is intended to be effectuated by this article
as so added or amended. If, in codifying the provisions of such former
articles four and five, this article as so added or amended:

1. Omits any provision of such articles which is not obsolete, has not
expired, or has not been superseded or specifically or impliedly
repealed, or

2. Incorporates any provision of such articles which has been
superseded or specifically or impliedly repealed, or

3. Incorporates any new provision which is not, in effect, a revision,
consolidation, codification, continuance or restatement of provisions of
such articles or of other applicable provisions of law,
relative to rights to membership in or to rights or benefits of members
of the retirement system, such omission or incorporation shall be deemed
an inadvertence or error. The right to rectify any such inadvertence or
error at any time is hereby reserved.