A freak Texas flood in July that resulted in the deaths of over two dozen girls who were at summer camp, along with countless injuries and devastation, sparked Texas lawmakers into taking quick action.
According to JustTheNews, the Texas Senate just passed the first part of a camp-related safety bill that prioritizes safe conditions at campgrounds in the wake of the nightmarish and deadly flooding incident.
The Texas House first took action on the issue by passing a relief package that included a camp safety bill last week. It then went to the Senate for a unanimous vote in favor of passing it.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott applauded the bipartisan effort to pass the safety bill, saying he would gladly sign it once it hit his desk.
Camp Mystic, located in Hunt, Texas, took the brunt of the flash flooding that resulted in the deaths of 27 campers and counselors on July 4.
The problem, according to many of the parents of the campers who perished, is that they believe their deaths were preventable. They took the matter to the state legislature to get action taken to prevent such a nightmare from happening again in the state.
JustTheNews noted:
Their parents testified before the Texas Senate for the first time on Wednesday in support of the bill. They also said their daughters’ deaths were “100% preventable,” arguing the camp didn’t have safety protocols in place, The Center Square reported.
Campers weren't the only people who died during the flash flooding event, as the barrage of water claimed a total of 137 lives in Texas, including 37 children in total.
JustTheNews noted:
After House business was halted during the first special session by absconding House Democrats, all House Democrats voted for the bill on Thursday. It nearly passed unanimously. One Republican holdout voted against it, expressing opposition to amendments added by Democrats and other language, The Center Square reported.
Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows released a statement on the situation.
“This summer’s tragic flooding has left profound impact on our state – taking the lives of innocent adults and children, devastating families and entire communities, and breaking the hearts of every Texan. From this tragedy, the Texas Legislature stepped up to examine the systems and processes in need of improvement so we are better prepared for all future emergencies," the state Speaker said.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also issued a statement regarding the bill.
“Every child who attends summer camp should come home with nothing more than memories of laughter, friendship, and adventure. This July, Texas was shaken by the catastrophic flooding at Camp Mystic, where 27 young lives were lost. Today, the Texas Senate has taken an important step to ensure that no parent in our state ever has to endure that kind of heartbreak again," he said.
Lt. Gov. Patrick added, "We cannot legislate away every danger in life, but we can insist on vigilance, preparedness, and accountability where children are entrusted to the care of others. This bill gives parents peace of mind and sets clear expectations for camp operators – because the safety of Texas children must always come first."
