Governor Greg Abbott signed several bills into law Friday improving camp safety in the aftermath of the deadly Central Texas flooding that claimed more than 130 in the Texas Hill Country including 27 at Camp Mystic.
The new laws require local governments in flood-prone zones to have outdoor warning systems and emergency alert procedures. They also require camps to have emergency evacuation measures and to allow for state inspections.
"Require them to develop emergency plans, require cabins to be located away from flood plains, require camps to be able to communicate with campers and staff during emergencies," Gov. Abbott said.
"They create a youth camp safety team."
A very emotional Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick spoke of the families during the ceremony.
"In their time of need and pain, they were gracious," Patrick said.
Patrick suggested portraits of both the camp counselors who died trying to save the students to hang in the Texas House and Senate.
"That will be in our Capitol forever and will send a message of what true Texas heroism is," Patrick said.