Whenever the term of office of a Justice, Superior judge, Environmental judge, magistrate, or hearing officer expires or he or she otherwise vacates the office, the Justice, judge, magistrate, or hearing officer shall have the same authority to conclude causes he or she has partly or fully heard that he or she would have had if remaining in that office. The Justice, judge, magistrate, or hearing officer may make and sign findings and orders for judgments or decrees in causes pending before him or her, may make interlocutory orders and decrees, and shall be paid compensation commensurate with that paid specially assigned judicial officers as provided by section 23 of this title. (Amended 1977, No. 235 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 12.)