Department of Water Resources: water supply forecasting.

Senator Hurtado's water supply forecasting legislation requires the Department of Water Resources to modernize its forecasting models to account for climate change impacts while establishing new transparency requirements for water management decisions. The department must update its forecasting methods and implement formal documentation procedures for operational plans and reservoir releases by January 2027.

The bill creates specific criteria for determining when updated forecasting models demonstrate sufficient predictive capability for individual watersheds. Starting in 2028, the department must submit annual reports to the Legislature detailing both its implementation progress and the rationale behind water management decisions from the previous year. These reports will be publicly available on the department's website.

Beginning in 2027, the department must hold at least two public meetings annually to present its operational decisions and forecasting implementation results. These meetings will rotate between locations in Bakersfield, Santa Clara County, Tulare, and Southern California, with meeting details published 60 days in advance. The information presented at these meetings will be compiled into annual reports for both public access and legislative review. The reporting requirements sunset in 2032 under existing government code provisions.