(a) The Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is authorized to administer the federal community services block program, emergency community services homeless grant program, low-income energy assistance program, weatherization assistance program, supplemental low-income energy assistance fund, low-income household water assistance program, and other federal programs that require or give preference to community action agencies for local administration in accordance with federal laws and regulations as amended. The Director shall provide financial assistance to community action agencies from community service block grant funds and other federal funds requiring or giving preference to community action agencies for local administration for the programs described in Section 4.
     (b) Funds appropriated for use by community action agencies in community action programs shall be allocated annually to existing community action agencies or newly formed community action agencies by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Allocations will be made consistent with duly enacted departmental rules.