(a)    To be eligible for funding for growth-related projects, a local government or two or more county governments shall certify to the Department of Planning any area designated by the local government or county governments as a priority funding area under § 5-7B-03 of this subtitle, which shall be consistent with the local comprehensive plan and the criteria set forth in § 5-7B-03 of this subtitle.

(b)    Prior to certification of a priority funding area or areas, the local government or county governments may submit the proposed priority funding areas and any relevant information to the Department of Planning for:

(1)    technical assistance, review, and comment; and

(2)    the opportunity for public review.

(c)    Upon certification of a priority funding area, the local government or county governments shall provide to the Department of Planning all information necessary to demonstrate the precise location of the area, including a map of the area showing planning and zoning characteristics, and existing and planned water and sewer services as appropriate.

(d)    The Department of Planning, as appropriate, shall provide to each State agency that funds growth-related projects copies of maps illustrating:

(1)    priority funding areas certified by the local government or county governments; and

(2)    any comments by the Department of Planning on the areas certified.

(e)    Prior to funding a growth-related project, the State funding agency shall obtain from the affected local government or county governments a written statement that the proposed growth-related project is located within a certified priority funding area.