The California Water Plan: long-term supply targets.

Senator Caballero's legislation revises California's water planning framework by expanding the scope and requirements of the state's comprehensive water management strategy. The bill restructures The California Water Plan, requiring the Department of Water Resources to broaden its advisory committee membership to include tribal representatives, labor organizations, and environmental justice advocates while establishing new planning targets for sustainable water management through 2050.

The legislation mandates that future plan updates evaluate water needs across all beneficial uses - including urban, agricultural, tribal, and environmental requirements - while specifically addressing safe drinking water access for all Californians. The Department must conduct detailed studies of basin hydrology, groundwater resources, land use patterns, and climate change impacts, with preliminary findings released for public review one year before each plan update. A new interim target of 9 million acre-feet of additional water capacity by 2040 would be achieved through various approaches, including expanded storage, conservation measures, and development of alternative water sources.

The bill institutes expanded public engagement requirements, directing the Department to hold workshops in regions most affected by drought and flooding, with specific provisions to ensure accessibility for disadvantaged communities. The Department must report to the Legislature on plan amendments and recommendations during each session when updates occur, creating a formal mechanism for legislative oversight of California's long-term water management strategy.