(a)For those programs and activities covered by a state process under § 17.6, the Secretary, to the extent permitted by law:
(1)Uses the official state process to determine views of state and local elected officials; and,
(2)Communicates with state and local elected officials, through the official state process, as early in a program planning cycle as is reasonably feasible to explain specific plans and actions.
(b)The Secretary provides notice to directly affected state, areawide, regional, and local entities in a state of proposed Federal financial assistance if:
(1)The state has not adopted a process under the Order; or
(2)The assistance involves a program or activity not selected for the state process.