US HB3857

Reauthorizes the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program at $3,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, replacing the previous authorization of $15,000,000 aggregate for fiscal years 2022 through 2026

Shifts program emphasis from emerging technologies to deployment of fully integrated snowpack measurement and modeling systems, including airborne laser altimetry, imaging spectroscopy, and physics-based snowpack and hydrologic modeling

Expands coordination requirements to specifically include NOAA and the Natural Resources Conservation Service as federal agency partners

Establishes program focus areas including improved snow and water supply forecasting responsive to changing conditions, real-time integration with water supply forecasts, and support for interstate water management decisions

Removes the previous reporting requirement and streamlines language by eliminating references to sub-basin level activities