When administering funds under this chapter, the department shall give preference only to Puget Sound partners, as defined in RCW
90.71.010, in comparison to other entities that are eligible to be included in the definition of Puget Sound partner. Entities that are not eligible to be a Puget Sound partner due to geographic location, composition, exclusion from the scope of the Puget Sound action agenda developed by the Puget Sound partnership under RCW
90.71.310, or for any other reason, shall not be given less preferential treatment than Puget Sound partners.