SB224 - Department of Water Resources: water supply forecasting.

Enrolled September 13, 2025 Passed IN Senate September 11, 2025 Passed IN Assembly September 09, 2025 Amended IN Assembly September 02, 2025 Amended IN Assembly July 17, 2025 Amended IN Senate May 23, 2025 Amended IN Senate March 26, 2025 Amended IN Senate March 11, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 224 Introduced by Senator Hurtado January 27, 2025 An act to add Article 2.2 (commencing with Section 240) to Chapter 2.5 of Division 1 of the Water Code, relating to water. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 224, Hurtado. Department of Water Resources: water supply forecasting. Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to gather and correlate information and data pertinent to an annual forecast of seasonal water crop. Existing law also requires the department to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as “The California Water Plan.” This bill would require the department, on or before January 1, 2027, to update its water supply forecasting models and procedures to address the effects of climate change and implement a formal policy and procedures for documenting the department’s operational plans and the department’s rationale for its operating procedures, including the department’s rationale for water releases from reservoirs. The bill would also require the department to establish, and publish on the department’s internet website, the specific criteria that it will employ to determine when its updated water supply forecasting model has demonstrated sufficient predictive capability to be ready for use in each of the watersheds. The bill would require the department, on or before January 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, to prepare and submit to the Legislature a report on its progress toward implementing the new forecasting model and to post the report on the department’s internet website. The bill would also require the department, on or before January 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, to prepare and submit to the Legislature a report that explains the rationale for the department’s operating procedures specific to the previous water year. Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill Text The people of the State of California do enact as follows: SECTION 1. Article 2.2 (commencing with Section 240) is added to Chapter 2.5 of Division 1 of the Water Code, to read: Article 2.2. Water Supply Forecasting 240. (a) (1) On or before January 1, 2027, the department shall update its water supply forecasting models and procedures to address the effects of climate change. The department shall prepare and submit a report to the Legislature on its progress in implementing the new forecasting model on or before January 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, and post the report on the department’s internet website. (2) The department shall establish, and publish on the department’s internet website, the specific criteria that it will employ to determine when its updated water supply forecasting model has demonstrated sufficient predictive capability to be ready for use in each of the watersheds. (b) (1) The requirement for submitting a report imposed under subdivision (a) is inoperative on January 1, 2032, pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code. (2) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code. 241. (a) On or before January 1, 2027, the department shall implement a formal policy and procedures for documenting the department’s operational plans and the department’s rationale for its operating procedures, including the department’s rationale for water releases from reservoirs. (b) (1) On or before January 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, the department shall prepare and submit a report to the Legislature explaining the rationale for its operating procedures specific to the previous water year. (2) The requirement for submitting a report imposed under paragraph (1) is inoperative on January 1, 2032, pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code. (3) A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.