SB-224
Natural Resources & Water

Department of Water Resources: water supply forecasting.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Requires the Department of Water Resources to adopt a climate-focused water supply forecasting model by 2027.
  • Mandates formal documentation of reservoir water release decisions and operational plans.
  • Requires two annual public meetings across California to present water supply decisions and forecasting progress.
  • Establishes annual reporting requirements to the Legislature on water management decisions through 2032.

Summary

Senator Hurtado's water supply forecasting legislation directs the California Department of Water Resources to modernize its forecasting capabilities by implementing new climate change-responsive models by January 2027. The department must establish and publish specific criteria for determining when these updated models demonstrate sufficient predictive accuracy for individual watersheds.

The bill requires the department to formalize its procedures for documenting operational plans and water release decisions from state reservoirs. Starting in 2028, annual reports to the Legislature will detail the rationale behind the previous year's operational choices. The department must also hold at least two public meetings annually, rotating between locations in Redding, San Francisco, Tulare, and Southern California, to present its operational decisions and progress implementing the new forecasting approach.

To ensure transparency, the department must provide 60 days' notice before these meetings on its website and compile the presented information into publicly available annual reports. These reporting requirements remain in effect through January 2032, at which point they expire unless extended by subsequent legislation.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 444
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB224 Hurtado
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 3 row(s) selected.
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Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
SB-231
Department of Water Resources: water supply forecasting.
January 2023
Failed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Melissa Hurtado
Melissa HurtadoD
California State Senator
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/4/2025)

Latest Voting History

June 4, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
380240PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Requires the Department of Water Resources to adopt a climate-focused water supply forecasting model by 2027.
  • Mandates formal documentation of reservoir water release decisions and operational plans.
  • Requires two annual public meetings across California to present water supply decisions and forecasting progress.
  • Establishes annual reporting requirements to the Legislature on water management decisions through 2032.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Melissa Hurtado
Melissa HurtadoD
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Hurtado's water supply forecasting legislation directs the California Department of Water Resources to modernize its forecasting capabilities by implementing new climate change-responsive models by January 2027. The department must establish and publish specific criteria for determining when these updated models demonstrate sufficient predictive accuracy for individual watersheds.

The bill requires the department to formalize its procedures for documenting operational plans and water release decisions from state reservoirs. Starting in 2028, annual reports to the Legislature will detail the rationale behind the previous year's operational choices. The department must also hold at least two public meetings annually, rotating between locations in Redding, San Francisco, Tulare, and Southern California, to present its operational decisions and progress implementing the new forecasting approach.

To ensure transparency, the department must provide 60 days' notice before these meetings on its website and compile the presented information into publicly available annual reports. These reporting requirements remain in effect through January 2032, at which point they expire unless extended by subsequent legislation.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/4/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 444
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB224 Hurtado
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

June 4, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
380240PASS

Contacts

Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 3 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 1
Select All Legislators
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
SB-231
Department of Water Resources: water supply forecasting.
January 2023
Failed
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1