TexasSB 189th Legislature 2nd Called SessionSenateWALLET

Relating to campground and youth camp safety.

Sponsored By: Paul Bettencourt (Republican), César Blanco (Democratic), Drew Darby, Mano DeAyala, Lulu Flores, Brent Hagenbuch (Republican), Adam Hinojosa (Republican), Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (Democratic), Joan Huffman (Republican), Ken King, Lois Kolkhorst (Republican), John McQueeney, Morgan Meyer, Mayes Middleton (Republican), Robert Nichols (Republican), Angela Paxton (Republican), Charles Perry (Republican), Charles Schwertner (Republican)

Became Law

Disaster Preparedness & ReliefElectronic Information SystemsHealth--Emergency Services & PersonnelMinors--Health & SafetyPolitical SubdivisionsSafetyHEAVEN'S 27 CAMP SAFETY ACTFLOODSINTERNETRECREATIONAL & CULTURAL FACILITIESYOUTH CAMPSEMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, TEXAS DIVISION OFFEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCYHEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSIONSTATE HEALTH SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.

New safety and fire rules for campgrounds

The law creates a campground safety chapter and sets who is covered. Private campgrounds must meet NFPA 1194 (2021) standards, with two sections excluded; local governments may not set stricter rules for the listed topics. Operators must prepare evacuation and shelter plans for floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and tornado warnings, act on National Weather Service warnings, and send the plan to the city or county emergency manager. If a cabin sits in a FEMA 100‑year floodplain, the operator must install and maintain an emergency ladder to the roof. Campground emergency plans given to government officials are confidential.

Youth camp floodplain limits and license updates

Youth camp licenses renew each year on a date the state sets. Operators must file a renewal within 30 days after changing camp boundaries, finishing new cabins, or renovating cabins that change beds or exits. The state cannot license a camp with cabins in a FEMA 100‑year floodplain unless each affected cabin is by a still or dammed body of water not connected to a river, or at least 1,000 feet from a floodway. The law also clarifies what “cabin,” “camper,” “floodplain,” “floodway,” and “governmental entity” mean.

Public list of licensed youth camps

The health department posts and keeps a current list of licensed youth camps on its website. Parents and the public can look up which camps are actively licensed.

Stronger emergency plans at youth camps

Youth camps must create and follow a detailed emergency plan. The plan covers fires, floods and warnings, tornado sheltering, lost campers, injuries, water rescues, unauthorized people, and evacuations, and names a coordinator. Camps must keep a working weather radio, a warning system with a PA that works without the Internet, post evacuation routes in cabins, and keep routes lit at night. Each camper gets a safety talk within 48 hours, and staff and volunteers get yearly training with records. Operators must send the plan to the state each year, fix problems within 45 days, and share the approved plan with local emergency managers within 10 business days; the state stores plans and gives emergency officials access. Plans are confidential from public release. Parents of current and registered campers get the plan, and must sign if any part of camp is in a floodplain. Camps do not have to submit plans to the state until April 1, 2026.

No waivers and broader rules for camps

The state makes youth camps follow the same safety rules that apply to campgrounds by agency rule. The health department cannot grant waivers from youth camp or campground safety requirements. The executive commissioner must adopt the needed rules by January 1, 2026. The agency must follow the state rulemaking process and no longer has a special duty to consult listed groups. One code subsection is repealed.

Free Policy Watch

You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.

Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.

Pick a topic to get started

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Paul Bettencourt

    Republican • Senate

  • César Blanco

    Democratic • Senate

  • Drew Darby

    House

  • Mano DeAyala

    House

  • Lulu Flores

    House

  • Brent Hagenbuch

    Republican • Senate

  • Adam Hinojosa

    Republican • Senate

  • Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Joan Huffman

    Republican • Senate

  • Ken King

    House

  • Lois Kolkhorst

    Republican • Senate

  • John McQueeney

    House

  • Morgan Meyer

    House

  • Mayes Middleton

    Republican • Senate

  • Robert Nichols

    Republican • Senate

  • Angela Paxton

    Republican • Senate

  • Charles Perry

    Republican • Senate

  • Charles Schwertner

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Carol Alvarado

    Democratic • Senate

  • Trent Ashby

    House

  • Jeff Barry

    House

  • Keith Bell

    House

  • Brian Birdwell

    Republican • Senate

  • Greg Bonnen

    House

  • John H. Bucy lll

    House

  • Angie Chen Button

    House

  • Donna Campbell

    Republican • Senate

  • David Cook

    House

  • Tom Craddick

    House

  • Creighton

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Charles Cunningham

    House

  • Pat Curry

    House

  • Sarah Eckhardt

    Democratic • Senate

  • Caroline Fairly

    House

  • Cassandra Garcia Hernandez

    House

  • Stan Gerdes

    House

  • Charlie Geren

    House

  • Roland Gutierrez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Bob Hall

    Republican • Senate

  • Caroline Harris Davila

    House

  • Hillary Hickland

    House

  • Donna Howard

    House

  • Bryan Hughes

    Republican • Senate

  • Lacey Hull

    House

  • Todd Hunter

    House

  • Ann Johnson

    House

  • Suleman Lalani

    House

  • Brooks Landgraf

    House

  • Jeff Leach

    House

  • Terri Leo Wilson

    House

  • Janie Lopez

    House

  • AJ Louderback

    House

  • José Menéndez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Will Metcalf

    House

  • Borris L. Miles

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tom Oliverson

    House

  • Angelia Orr

    House

  • Tan Parker

    Republican • Senate

  • Matt Shaheen

    House

  • Shelby Slawson

    House

  • Kevin Sparks

    Republican • Senate

  • David Spiller

    House

  • Gary VanDeaver

    House

  • Cody Vasut

    House

  • Denise Villalobos

    House

  • Royce West

    Democratic • Senate

  • Trey Wharton

    House

  • Terry M. Wilson

    House

  • Judith Zaffirini

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 420 • No: 17

Senate vote 9/3/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 5

House vote 9/3/2025

Record vote

Yes: 120 • No: 4

House vote 9/3/2025

Record vote

Yes: 120 • No: 4

House vote 9/3/2025

Record vote

Yes: 120 • No: 4

Senate vote 8/21/2025

Record vote

Yes: 30 • No: 0

Senate vote 8/21/2025

Record vote

Yes: 30 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective immediately

    9/5/2025House
  2. Signed by the Governor

    9/5/2025House
  3. Sent to the Governor

    9/4/2025House
  4. Signed in the House

    9/4/2025House
  5. Signed in the Senate

    9/4/2025Senate
  6. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported

    9/4/2025House
  7. Reported enrolled

    9/4/2025Senate
  8. Record vote

    9/3/2025Senate
  9. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)

    9/3/2025Senate
  10. Read

    9/3/2025Senate
  11. House amendment(s) laid before the Senate

    9/3/2025Senate
  12. Rules suspended

    9/3/2025Senate
  13. House passage as amended reported

    9/3/2025Senate
  14. Reason for vote recorded in Journal

    9/3/2025House
  15. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    9/3/2025House
  16. Record vote (RV#164)

    9/3/2025House
  17. Passed

    9/3/2025House
  18. Read 3rd time

    9/3/2025House
  19. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    9/3/2025House
  20. Record vote (RV#159)

    9/3/2025House
  21. Passed to 3rd reading

    9/3/2025House
  22. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    9/3/2025House
  23. Record vote (RV#158)

    9/3/2025House
  24. Amendment tabled (1-Virdell)

    9/3/2025House
  25. Read 2nd time

    9/3/2025House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation

Take It Personal

Get Your Personalized Policy View

Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.

Already have an account? Sign in