(a) The State Board of Health is empowered to receive federal funds in behalf of, and transmit them to, such applicants.
(b) Money received from the United States Government for a construction project shall be deposited with the Treasurer of State as a trust fund. The fund shall be separate from all public funds of the state and shall be used solely for payments due applicants for work performed or purchases made in carrying out approved projects.
(c) Warrants for all payments from the fund shall bear the signature of the Secretary of the Department of Health or his or her agent.
(d) The procedure provided in this section for the receipt and disbursement of such funds is not intended to deprive any applicant from receiving federal payments directly if, for any reason, the Department of Health or the Treasurer of State is not authorized to receive and transmit federal payments for certain construction projects to certain applicants.