California Water Code Section 79421

The authority shall carry out the following duties: (a) Develop policies and make decisions at program milestones, and provide direction to achieve balanced implementation, integration, and continuous improvement in all program elements. (b) Track the progress of all program projects and activities and assess overall achievement of the goals and objectives of the California Bay-Delta Program. (c) Modify, as needed, the California Bay-Delta Program`s timelines and activities where the authority deems it necessary to ensure that the program meets its overall goals and objectives. Modification shall be coordinated with implementing agencies and other affected agencies with public input. The authority shall notify the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature with regard to any modifications made by the authority. (d) Communicate with the Congress of the United States and the Legislature on program progress, answer legislative inquiries, review and respond to legislative proposals, and review and submit legislative proposals. (e) On or before November 15 of each year, review progress in implementing the program. (f) On or before December 15 of each year, submit a report to the Governor, the Secretary of the Interior, the Legislature, and the Congress of the United States that describes the status of implementation of all program elements for the prior fiscal year. (g) If, at the conclusion of each annual review submitted pursuant to subdivision (f), or, if a timely annual review has not been issued, the authority or the Governor, or the Secretary of the Interior if federal authorizing legislation has been enacted, determines, in writing, that either the program schedule or objective has not been substantially adhered to, the authority, in coordination with the Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee, the Governor shall, and the Secretary of the Interior may, prepare a revised schedule that will achieve balanced progress in all program elements consistent with the intent of the California Bay-Delta Program and applicable regulatory requirements. (h) To support annual implementation, the director shall prepare and submit to the Department of Finance an annual state proposed budget, prepared consistent with Section 79423, for each of the program elements and the authority`s oversight and coordination duties, in accordance with the annual State Budget process. (i) Coordinate with federal agencies to develop a proposed federal budget to support the California Bay-Delta Program that the federal agencies can submit to the President of the United States in accordance with the annual federal budget process. (j) Manage the science program element. (k) Coordinate, and when appropriate, assist with the integration of, the Bay-Delta Program with other related programs to maximize available resources and reduce conflicts and inconsistencies with other programs. (l) Provide a forum for the resolution of conflicts or disputes among implementing agencies relating to the program. (m) Seek out and promote partnerships with local interests and programs that seek to integrate various water management options, and cooperate and undertake joint activities with other persons, including local entities, Indian tribes, water users, and landowners. These activities shall include, but are not limited to, planning, design, technical assistance, construction projects, and development of an independent science program. (n) Develop, in cooperation with federal agencies, a regulatory coordination and streamlining process for the issuance of permits and approvals required under state and federal law as necessary, to achieve the program`s goals and objectives that reduces or eliminates duplicative process. (o) Adopt criteria for review, approval, and modification of annual program plans and projected expenditures pursuant to subdivision (i) of Section 79423. The criteria shall be consistent with existing state and federal agency budget development, review, and approval processes. The authority shall submit a copy of the criteria to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature. (p) Meet jointly with the Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee at least once annually.