After Camp Mystic Flooding, Texas Legislature Passes Bills to Better Protect Youth Camps

In the wake of last month’s catastrophic floods that claimed the lives of 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic, Texas lawmakers have moved swiftly to strengthen youth camp safety across the state.

The Legislature passed a package of bills designed to limit camp construction in high-risk floodplains, improve evacuation preparedness, and implement new warning systems in vulnerable areas.

Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act

Senate Bill 1, now renamed the Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act in honor of the victims, unanimously passed Thursday. The measure prohibits the state from licensing youth camps with cabins in designated floodplains—except those adjacent to lakes or other still waters.

The bill also requires camps to prepare evacuation plans and display routes clearly in cabins. If the National Weather Service issues a flood or flash flood warning, camps must act immediately to relocate campers.

The Push for Warning Systems

The flooding that struck on the July 4 weekend saw the Guadalupe River rise more than 26 feet, leaving at least 138 Texans dead in what is commonly called “flash flood alley.” Families and local officials criticized the lack of timely emergency alerts, prompting lawmakers to focus on new technologies for early warnings.

Senate Bill 3 directs the state to identify which flood-prone areas must install outdoor warning sirens. It also sets rules for how these systems should be installed, operated, and maintained.

House Bill 1: Parents’ Right to Know

The Texas House also approved HB 1, requiring overnight camp operators to:

• Develop and submit emergency plans for sheltering or evacuating.

• Teach those safety plans to campers.

• Disclose to parents if any portion of a camp is in a floodplain.

Importantly, the bill prevents licensing for youth camps with cabins located in 100-year floodplains—areas with at least a 1% annual chance of flooding. HB 1 is now awaiting consideration in the Senate.

Leadership Response

Governor Greg Abbott praised the legislation, saying:

“These families asked for critical camp safety legislation, and the bills passed this week by the House and Senate will ensure that no parent has to fear sending their child to a camp in Texas.”

Abbott has pledged to sign the bills into law.

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