New safety rules passed after the deadly Hill Country floods now require Texas youth camps to have at least one hardwired fiber-optic internet connection for emergency communication.
The law, part of a package of reforms signed earlier this year, mandates that all licensed camps maintain two independent broadband connections - one of which must be fiber - by September 1, 2027.
State officials say the change is meant to ensure reliable connectivity for alerts and rescue coordination during severe weather or flooding.
Satellite services like Starlink and cellular hotspots do not meet the requirement, though they can be used as backup systems.
The Texas Department of State Health Services is drafting detailed rules for implementation, while many camp operators in rural areas say installing fiber lines could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Other parts of the law, including stricter evacuation plans and bans on cabins in floodplains, will take effect sooner, beginning in 2026.
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