(a) State Contact Persons Each State shall designate an individual to serve as a State contact person for the purpose of receiving and disseminating information and communications received from the Council. (b) State Interagency Councils and Lead Agencies Each State is encouraged to establish a State interagency council on housing affordability and preservation or designate a lead agency for the State for the purpose of assuming primary responsibility for coordinating and interacting with the Council and State and local agencies as necessary. 8. Definitions For purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall apply: (1) Council The term Council means the United States Interagency Council on Housing Affordability and Preservation established in section 2. (2) Federal agency The term Federal agency has the meaning given the term agency in section 551(1) of title 5, United States Code. 9. Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $4,800,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028. Any amounts appropriated to carry out this Act shall remain available until expended.