All Roll Calls
Yes: 15 • No: 0
TexasSB 189th Legislature 2nd Called SessionSenate
Relating to campground and youth camp safety.
Sponsored By: Paul Bettencourt (Republican), César Blanco (Democratic), Drew Darby, Mano DeAyala, Pete Flores (Republican), Brent Hagenbuch (Republican), Adam Hinojosa (Republican), Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (Democratic), Joan Huffman (Republican), Phil King (Republican), Lois Kolkhorst (Republican), John McQueeney, Morgan Meyer, Mayes Middleton (Republican), Robert Nichols (Republican), Angela Paxton (Republican), Charles Perry (Republican), Charles Schwertner (Republican)
Signed by Governor
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
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Tighter license rules for youth camps
Texas youth camps must renew licenses annually, using the state health department's form and renewal date. They must also apply within 30 days after boundary changes, completed new cabins, or completed renovations changing beds or entrances and exits. The department cannot issue or renew licenses for camps operating floodplain cabins unless every affected cabin meets both exception requirements. Each cabin must be near still water that is disconnected from a watercourse or dammed, and at least 1,000 feet from a floodway. The law also repeals Health and Safety Code Section 141.0035(b); the supplied text does not explain that subsection's effect.
Campers and staff get safety instruction
Every youth camper must receive a safety orientation within 48 hours after each session starts. It must explain boundaries, hazards, expected behavior, and age-appropriate emergency actions. At least annually, camps must give every staff member and volunteer the latest emergency plan and ensure successful training. Training must meet state rules for standards and hours, and camps must keep written records. Camps must clearly post evacuation routes in every cabin and light every route on camp grounds at night.
Parents get camp flood risk notices
Youth camps must give parents or legal guardians the latest emergency plan submitted to the state health department. This applies to children attending camp or registered for a future session. If any camp area is in a floodplain, the camp must notify those parents or guardians. Parents or guardians must sign a statement confirming they received that notice.
Youth camps need approved emergency plans
Youth camps must write emergency plans naming gathering areas and an emergency coordinator. Plans must cover lost campers, fires, serious injury or illness, epidemics, unauthorized people, transportation emergencies, and water emergencies when camps border water. Plans must account for affected campers and set communications with emergency services, staff, and parents or guardians. Camps must submit plans annually for state health department approval, include updates with license renewals, fix deficiencies within 45 days after notice, and share approved plans with county officials—and municipal officials where applicable—within 10 business days. Required emergency-plan rules must be adopted by January 1, 2026; camps do not have to submit plans before April 1, 2026.
Camps strengthen flood and tornado protections
Campgrounds must maintain a roof-access emergency ladder in every floodplain cabin and prepare flood evacuation and tornado shelter plans. They must act on National Weather Service flood, flash flood, or tornado warnings and specified local evacuation or shelter orders. The state must adopt rules applying campground safety requirements to youth camps in the same way. Youth camps must maintain a real-time weather radio and a warning system reaching everyone, including an internet-independent public address system. They must monitor weather and local warnings, including relevant river authority alerts, and certify compliance.
Youth camps must maintain backup internet
Youth camp operators must provide and maintain broadband internet using end-to-end fiber-optic facilities. They must also maintain a separate backup broadband connection through a service distinct from the fiber service. The law does not specify installation or ongoing service costs.
Camp plans stay confidential but shared
The state health department must store covered youth camp emergency plans in a digital database. It must give access to the Texas Division of Emergency Management and every Youth Camp Safety Multidisciplinary Team member. Covered plans submitted to, received by, or accessed by government agencies are confidential and exempt from public-records disclosure. This does not remove camps' separate duty to give plans to participating or registered campers' parents or guardians. The state health department cannot waive the youth camp emergency-plan requirements or Chapter 762 campground safety requirements.
Campground fire rules limit stricter protections
Campgrounds not owned or controlled by government must follow the 2021 National Fire Protection Association 1194 standard. Sections 1.1.1 and 5.1.1.1 are excluded. Government agencies cannot impose stricter campground standards for environmental health and sanitation, electrical distribution safety, propane storage and dispensing, or fire protection.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Paul Bettencourt
Republican • Senate
César Blanco
Democratic • Senate
Drew Darby
House
Mano DeAyala
House
Pete Flores
Republican • Senate
Brent Hagenbuch
Republican • Senate
Adam Hinojosa
Republican • Senate
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
Democratic • Senate
Joan Huffman
Republican • Senate
Phil King
Republican • Senate
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
Molly Cook
Democratic • Senate
Tom Craddick
House
Brandon Creighton
Republican • Senate
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
Nathan Johnson
Democratic • Senate
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
VanDeaver
Affiliation unavailable
Cody Vasut
House
Denise Villalobos
House
Royce West
Democratic • Senate
Trey Wharton
House
Terry M. Wilson
House
Judith Zaffirini
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 9/3/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 9/3/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 9/3/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 9/3/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 8/21/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 8/21/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective immediately
9/5/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
9/5/2025HouseSent to the Governor
9/4/2025HouseSigned in the House
9/4/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
9/4/2025SenateSenate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
9/4/2025HouseReported enrolled
9/4/2025SenateRecord vote
9/3/2025SenateSenate concurs in House amendment(s)
9/3/2025SenateRead
9/3/2025SenateHouse amendment(s) laid before the Senate
9/3/2025SenateRules suspended
9/3/2025SenateHouse passage as amended reported
9/3/2025SenateReason for vote recorded in Journal
9/3/2025HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
9/3/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#164)
9/3/2025HousePassed
9/3/2025HouseRead 3rd time
9/3/2025HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
9/3/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#159)
9/3/2025HousePassed to 3rd reading
9/3/2025HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
9/3/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#158)
9/3/2025HouseAmendment tabled (1-Virdell)
9/3/2025HouseRead 2nd time
9/3/2025House
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
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