() Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed two camp safety bills into law Friday morning, a response to devastating 4th of July floods in central Texas.
Abbott began by thanking leadership in the state legislature for drafting the legislation and getting it passed.
He was joined by parents whose daughters had died at Camp Mystic, who pleaded for change to avoid another tragedy.
“Every child who goes to camp should come home to their families,” he said.
More than 100 people were killed in the flooding, including 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic, located along the Guadalupe River.
This region hosts numerous summer camps, prompting legislators to prioritize safety during a special session that tackled flood response as a significant concern.
House Bill 1 requires camps to submit emergency plans to the state, train staff on flood emergencies and install warning systems.
Senate Bill 1 prohibits cabins in floodplains, requires cabins to display evacuation routes, and to have ladders to access the roof.
Abbott approved legislation mandating that local authorities in areas susceptible to flooding set up outdoor alert systems, with state-funded grants available to offset expenses.
Officials from Kerr County, the area most severely affected by the floods, have voiced their opposition to the Senate bill. They argue that relocating cabins away from floodplain areas is overly costly and could lead to camp closures.
