When selecting projects and programs pursuant to Division 24 (commencing with Section 78500), Division 26 (commencing with Section 79000), Division 26.5 (commencing with Section 79500), or pursuant to any grant funding authorized on or after January 1, 2009, for water management activities, the department, the board, the State Department of Public Health, and the California Bay-Delta Authority or its successor, as appropriate, shall include in any set of criteria used to select projects and programs for funding, a criterion that provides a preference for regional projects or programs.