Senator Caballero's comprehensive overhaul of California's water planning framework proposes substantial changes to the state's primary water management document, expanding both its scope and the diversity of voices involved in its development. The legislation redefines how the Department of Water Resources (DWR) creates and updates the California Water Plan, establishing new requirements for water supply targets and stakeholder engagement.

The bill mandates DWR to broaden its advisory committee membership to include tribal representatives, labor unions, and environmental justice advocates, while maintaining existing representation from agricultural, urban, and environmental interests. It sets a December 31, 2028 deadline for the next plan update and requires subsequent updates every five years. The 2033 update must establish water supply targets through 2050, incorporating considerations for urban, agricultural, and environmental needs while accounting for climate change impacts.

New public engagement requirements direct DWR to conduct workshops throughout the state, with particular attention to drought-affected regions and communities with minority or low-income populations. The department must release preliminary drafts for public review and submit detailed reports to the Legislature outlining amendments and recommendations. The plan must now include analysis of project costs and benefits, alternative water pricing strategies, and specific components addressing environmental needs, urban water demands, and agricultural requirements.

The legislation responds to documented changes in California's water patterns, including reduced snowpack, increased drought frequency, and groundwater depletion. According to DWR data cited in the bill's findings, the state's annual water usage ranges from 60 to 90 million acre-feet, with climate change projected to reduce available supply by 10 percent. The Central Valley currently faces an annual groundwater overdraft of 2 to 3 million acre-feet.