AUSTIN, Texas -- Families of the victims of the July 4 flooding at Camp Mystic joined Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday morning as he signed camp safety and flood measures into law.
Just days after the Texas Legislature passed a series of bipartisan bills related to flooding and camp safety, the governor made them official.
Senate Bill 1 (Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act) and House Bill 1 (Youth CAMPER Act) create enhanced safety regulations at camps across Texas. Their provisions include the prohibition of cabins in floodplains, state inspections, and emergency management plan requirements.
Senate Bill 3 mandates flood sirens in flood-prone areas around the state and sets aside funding for communities to install them.
"Every child who goes to camp should come home to their families. No parent should ever outlive their child or endure this kind of loss," Abbott said before signing the bills Friday morning at the Governor's Mansion.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick joined the governor at the signing event, with an emotional statement in front of the families.
"Everyone knows I'm never lost for words. But today I am," he said.
The Texas Senate and House adjourned sine die late Wednesday night.
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"Today, through these laws, we are doing more than just changing campgrounds in Texas. We are changing the future for our children and their families," Abbott said.
Camp Mystic parents applauded following the governor's remarks.
"We came together as families dealing with unbearable heartache, and today we stand together in gratitude," Katie and Clarke Baker, parents of 8-year-old Mary Grace Baker, said in a statement. "The legislature listened, and Texas children will be safer because of it."
The governor put several items related to disaster preparedness and flooding on his agenda for both the first and second called special sessions. Some items, including improved communication equipment between organizations during emergency events, did not make it out of the legislature.
Abbott told reporters Friday that he is currently exploring options to address those items.
When asked if another special session could be called to address other agenda items like THC regulation, he added, "Something may be happening soon."