ICAC lifeline laws now in force in NSW

New laws to enshrine previous findings from the NSW anti-graft commission have swept through parliament in record time.

NSW Premier Mike Baird introduced the Independent Commission Against Corruption Amendment (Validation) Bill first thing on Wednesday to ward off a rush of appeals by businessmen previously branded corrupt.

The Labor-backed laws are now in force, after they were fast-tracked through both houses of parliament and signed off by NSW Governor David Hurley about 10.30pm on Wednesday.

They were prompted by a damaging High Court ruling last month, which stated the ICAC had "no power" to investigate allegations levelled at high-ranking Crown prosecutor Margaret Cunneen SC.