(a)
To support the planning and development of sustainable communities, the council shall manage and award financial assistance to a council of governments, metropolitan planning organization, regional transportation planning agency, city, county, or joint powers authority, to develop, adopt or implement a regional plan or other planning instrument consistent with a regional plan that improves air and water quality, improves natural resource protection, increases the availability of affordable housing, improves transportation, meets the goals of the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code), and encourages sustainable land use. The financial assistance provided pursuant to this section shall be funded from moneys made available pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 75065.
(b)
In awarding financial assistance pursuant to this section, the council shall give first priority to an application seeking funding to add or enhance elements of a regional plan that are not funded with federal moneys.