Senator Hurtado's water supply forecasting legislation directs the California Department of Water Resources to modernize its forecasting methods to account for climate change impacts, while establishing new transparency requirements for the department's operational decisions.

The bill requires the department to implement a new climate-informed water supply forecasting model by January 2027. Starting in 2028, the department must document and publicly report its rationale for operational procedures, including reservoir water releases, through annual reports to the Legislature. The legislation also mandates formal documentation policies for the department's operational planning.

To enhance public engagement, the department would conduct five annual public meetings across California beginning in 2027 - in San Francisco, Redding, Tulare, and two locations in Southern California. At these meetings, department officials must present their operational decisions from the previous water year and assess their progress toward policy objectives. Meeting details must be announced 60 days in advance, with findings compiled in reports posted online and submitted to legislators.