Hello Mojang team. 
I'm owner of a server network and I'm using a network-wide resource pack. 
The problem is that since 1.20.2, client automatically unload resource pack while entering or re-entering in config phase. 
This cause problematic behavior while server request client to re-enter config phase or when a user change backend server on the network.

Without necessarily needing to change resource pack, re-entering config phase will unload the resource pack and the server will need to send it back again, making the process long and annoying for users.
Also, this behavior goes against wanting to make the network experience smoother for users, one of the main points of 1.20.2. 

Resource pack should unload only if the server send a new resource pack load request to the client during or outside config phase.