The Texas Tribune reports that the Texas Senate passed House Bill 1 (HB 1), and the Texas House passed Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) among others. The legislations, which were passed during the second special session this summer, was signed earlier this month by Governor Greg Abbott.
Representative Drew Darby, author of HB 1, otherwise known as the Youth CAMPER Act, said that this was possible through the relentless advocacy, fight, and determination of the families of the victims of Camp Mystic.
Part of bills says that no cabins shall be in a floodplain near dangerous parts of a river, and that camps must install emergency warning systems to alert campers if something is wrong. Camp operators also will be expected to monitor National Weather Service alerts and keep weather radios that make sounds to get peoples' attention.
Troy Kimmel is a Central Texas meteorologist and head of Troy Kimmel Weather.
"The weather radio thing, I'm pleased to see. The problem with weather radios is they're 1980s technology. That's a problem. The government's going to have to upgrade those weather radios. Of these three bills that I've seen and been able to read, I think it's common sense, and it's a good first move," says Kimmel.
He said that, while he's not a big fan of outdoor sirens, there are exceptions.
"In this case, I like the outdoor sirens, especially along the rivers. I know there will be a considerable amount of money spent, particularly in Kerrville on some of these sirens, and I think that's a good move as well," states Kimmel.
The new laws also require camp staff to have orientations with campers at the beginning of camp on how to handle emergencies. Camp operators in a floodplain will also have to make evacuation plans to use if a flash flood or flood warning is issued.
