Video & Transcript Research : 'campground'
Page 5 of 14
TX
Bills:
HB47, HB171, HB285, HB305, HB449, HB908, HB1024, HB1306, HB1443, HB1445, HB1741, HB1866, HB1902, HB2001, HB2282, HB2355, HB2492, HB2637, HB2697, HB3464, HB4263, HB4996, HB5667, HB47, HB171, HB285, HB305
Keywords:
sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination, medical care, trauma-informed care, crime victims compensation, evidence retention, chemical dependency, court-ordered treatment, mental health, health care, treatment facility, juvenile justice, criminal justice reform, animal cruelty, nonlivestock, prosecution, veterinary defense, animal welfare, pretrial hearings
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:52:19.040>
or <00:52:19.280>camper the state park campground or camper the state - park campground or camper cabin<00:52:20.240>
where <00:52:20.559>motans <00:52:21.119> - This is the drain field that services the campground shower building.
- campground septic field replacement. campground septic field replacement.
- <01:02:54.160>
it <01:02:54.400>was the campground shower building. it was the campground
Summary:
The committee first approved the March 3, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Zoo on its aging facilities and bonding needs. Zoo staff highlighted the zoo’s economic and educational role, its 1.4 to 1.5 million annual visitors, and its Free to Explore program, while stressing that many of its 50-year-old buildings are in poor condition, with more than $78 million in backlog and safety concerns for visitors, staff, and animals. The zoo said the governor recommended $4 million for critical life-support systems and asked for an additional $6 million in asset preservation to renovate the original animal hospital building so a new hospital wing can function properly. Testimony emphasized that the renovation is necessary for staff space, storage, code compliance, asbestos removal, and safe animal care, and described recent injuries and close calls tied to outdated facilities.
Members asked questions about porcupine quills, natural predators, and the meaning of the zoo’s incident rate. Zoo staff explained that quills are not poisonous but are barbed and can be difficult to remove, and that predators include larger cats, owls, and fishers. On incidents, staff said they include close calls and injuries linked to aging infrastructure, such as a tiger reaching farther through a wall after fencing shifted over time, and staff injuries during animal procedures in older spaces. Members also confirmed that the hospital project has shifted from a standalone building to a wing attached to the existing hospital because of rising construction costs.
The committee then heard from Perpich Center for Arts Education. Perpich described its statewide role as both a public high school and an arts education resource center, serving students and educators across Minnesota. It said it hosted 313 events last year for nearly 2,000 educators and administrators and worked with 275 school districts across all 67 Senate districts. Perpich emphasized that nearly seven in 10 students rely on its residential programs because there are no comparable arts high school options in greater Minnesota, and noted strong student outcomes including a 100% graduation rate and national recognition as an exemplary school. For capital needs, Perpich said it received $1.26 million last year for HVAC and building automation work, is grateful for the governor’s recommended $1.3 million this year, and requested $6 million to create a secure, accessible main entrance and upgrade outdated restrooms to ADA compliance.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Legacy funds also made it possible to develop the Shipwreck Creek Campground at Split Rock Lighthouse
- develop the Shipwreck Creek Campground develop the Shipwreck Creek Campground at<00:23:40.480>
- , the Shipwreck Creek campground at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, reintroduction of bison at Minopa
- . um the Shipwreck Creek new campground. um the Shipwreck Creek campground<00:45:51.680>
at <00- at Split Rock um Lighthouse campground at Split Rock um Lighthouse State<00:45:54.319>
Park.
OR
Oregon 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee On Legislative Audits 06/17/2026 12:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- These three parks were from a list of 34 parks that have overnight campgrounds, which offer tent and
- the audit covered June 2022 through June 2025, and then the audit really looked at our overnight campground
- And then the audit, it really looked at our overnight campground asset management and then safety inspections
Summary:
The Joint Interim Committee on Legislative Audits met on June 17 for informational presentations. The Department of Administrative Services, through Chief Audit Executive Eli Ritchie, gave an overview of statewide internal audit requirements and the fiscal year 2025 report. He explained the difference between internal and external audit, described Oregon’s statutory and rule-based internal audit structure, and reported that 30 agencies had internal audit functions, with most meeting required standards. He said 73 audits and 49 advisory/consulting engagements were completed statewide, with strong compliance overall, though a few agencies were rebuilding audit committees after vacancies. No committee questions were raised after the presentation.
The Secretary of State’s Audits Division then presented its Government Waste Hotline annual report. Director Steve Bergman and audit manager Olivia Rekhed described changes made to align the hotline with statute, including renaming it the Government Waste Hotline, creating a review panel, improving anonymity protections, removing fraud reporting from the hotline’s scope, and adjusting reporting timelines. They said hotline volume increased modestly in 2025, most reports were referred elsewhere or closed for insufficient evidence, and two reports were substantiated, including questioned costs of about $856 for personal use of a state vehicle and about $2.9 million tied to the Preschool Promise program. Committee members asked about hotline staffing, cost, anonymity, and follow-up on findings; staff said the hotline is lightly resourced, uses a contracted intake service, and referrals or recommendations are followed up through management letters and later reviews.
The committee also heard an audit of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s safety inspections and asset tracking. The Secretary of State’s office reported that OPRD had not consistently conducted or documented quarterly OSHA safety inspections and had incomplete asset records, including missing acquisition dates and costs for many assets. The audit made eight recommendations covering safety inspection policies, asset management guidance, tagging, reconciliations, disposition controls, training, and a new asset management system; OPRD agreed to all recommendations. OPRD officials said they had already begun training staff, improving inspection procedures, and working toward a replacement asset system, while noting operational challenges from a large, dispersed park system and manual processes. Committee members asked about what kinds of assets are tracked, how tagging works, whether items were actually being lost, and how much tracking is necessary for low-value tools; OPRD said the main issue was inconsistent classification and documentation rather than widespread loss. The meeting ended with no votes or formal actions taken.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Enhancements would include shoreline campgrounds, North Park Road, and the creation of new ski, bike,
- Our top priority at this time is our campground.
- We have already committed a local match of $1 million to date for the campground, which, once completed
Bills:
HF568, HF433, HF1689, HF3135, HF3137, HF3145, HF2887, HF2819, HF2802, HF2664, HF2267, HF799, HF800, HF3049, HF296, HF580, HF1438, HF1237
Keywords:
special education, education funding, construction, Minnesota, regional educational programs, HF433, Cloquet Area Fire District, fire station, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, general obligation bonds, public safety, emergency services, fire protection, local infrastructure, Minnesota capital budget, DEED grant, municipal facilities, station construction
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Aug 21st, 2025 at 10:08 am
Texas House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's gambling with the lives of our campers and the lives of many who work at these campgrounds.
- It ensures campgrounds notify of all changes in structures and operations to ensure... that the plan's
- To close on this amendment, I want to thank the many stakeholders, including the campgrounds, who have
Keywords:
youth camps, emergency preparedness, safety standards, health regulations, camp licensing, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license
Summary:
The committee meeting primarily focused on the discussion and passage of several key bills, including SB5, which pertains to supplemental appropriations for disaster relief. This bill was passed unanimously, highlighting the committee's commitment to addressing disaster preparedness. HB20, aimed at reducing fraudulent charitable solicitations during disasters, also saw significant debate, with positive sentiments expressed by its sponsor, Mr. Darby. Additionally, HB22, which expands the authority of the comptroller to fund emergency communication systems, was passed with overwhelming support, indicating a consensus on improving emergency response capabilities within the state. The session concluded with discussions about future legislative measures aimed at strengthening infrastructure against disasters.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Aug 22nd, 2025
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- We support HB75 because it should lead to better, more flood-resistant buildings in campgrounds near
- House Bill 171 requires campgrounds located on or near bodies of water prone to flooding to provide written
- Campers, or a parent or guardian in the case of a minor, must sign and return a statement to the campground
- A campground operator who fails to comply with the flood regulations may face penalties.
Keywords:
HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert, Silver Alert, Blue Alert, missing persons alerts, accessible alerts, hearing impaired
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Resources, Recreation and Development (02/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- The other thing we have in Claremont is at the racetrack they just built a campground.
- But the campground wants access, so, um, who pays? Would it be the club or the campground?
- But the campground wants access, so, um, who pays? Would it be the club or the campground?
- But the campground wants access, so, um, who pays? Would it be the club or the campground?
- The campground wants access, so, um, who pays? Would it be the club or the campground?
Summary:
The committee took up several bills in executive session, beginning with HB 568 on subdivision regulations concerning water supply. Representative Donnelly moved ITL, arguing the bill would create costly studies, that towns already have jurisdiction over needed studies, and that the issue was not widespread. The committee voted ITL 9-7. HB 582, dealing with safety requirements for personal watercraft, was also moved ITL on the grounds that existing law already covers the issue and the bill was unnecessary after recent action on personal flotation devices. Representative Derby opposed the ITL, saying the bill was a common-sense safety measure and would restore a misdemeanor penalty, but the committee voted ITL 9-7.
The committee then retained HB 595, relative to coastal resilience zones, after members said the bill was important but needed more work and time because of its complexity. Members noted it should be revisited later, and the motion to retain passed 16-0. HB 607, funding the Hampton Beach Area Commission and making appropriations, received an ought-to-pass recommendation 15-1, with support from members who described Hampton Beach as an important economic driver and one dissenting member saying the state should not bear the full cost. The committee also adopted Amendment 2025-3 on HB 624, establishing a local river management advisory committee grant program, by a 16-0 vote; the amendment shifted funding decisions to the Department of Environmental Services based on demonstrated need and a first-come, first-served process. The bill as amended then received an ought-to-pass recommendation 16-0 and was placed on consent.
Later, the committee retained HB 629, funding the operation, maintenance, and repair of state dams, after members said the dams need attention but the bill required more work because suggested amendments had just been received. That motion passed 16-0. HB 644, concerning drones in state parks, was ITL’d because the Department of Parks and Recreation is already working through rulemaking on UAS use in remote areas, and the committee voted 16-0 for ITL. HB 657, the short notice booking act access for New Hampshire residents to state parks, was also ITL’d at the request of the prime sponsor, passing 16-0. The committee then adjourned and announced a later hearing on HB 663, which would allow the Division of Historical Resources to use a portion of Moose plate funds for administering its grant program; testimony from the sponsor and the division supported the bill as clarifying existing authority, and no final vote on HB 663 was included in the transcript excerpt.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on State Government (9-23-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- rest of the park, what’s to prevent that person from going from the event space to, you know, the campground
- rest of the park, what’s to prevent that person from going from the event space to, you know, the campground
- from the uh event space to, you know, from the uh event space to, you know, the<00:38:18.560>
campground - c> or<00:38:19.119>
whatever <00:38:19.359>and <00:38:19.599>being the campground - or whatever and being the campground or whatever and being around<00:38:20.400>
uh <00:38:20.560
Keywords:
Cabinet for Economic Development – Bluegrass State Skills Corporation Overview 02:35
----Discussion of BR 868, 2026 Regular Session 24:08, 958, all
Summary:
The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the August 21 minutes. The main presentation was from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development on the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation (BSSC), which was created in 1984 and is administratively tied to the cabinet. Staff explained that BSSC supports workforce training for companies in Kentucky through two main programs: the grant-in-aid reimbursement program and the skills training investment tax credit. They also described the board’s structure, quarterly meetings, annual audit, and the metropolitan tax credit tied to UPS in Louisville, along with public-private training consortia supported by the program.
The cabinet outlined eligibility and funding rules: applicants must be qualified companies, trainees must be full-time Kentucky residents meeting wage requirements, and eligible training includes in-house company-specific training, train-the-trainer efforts, safety/OSHA training, and outside training through KCTCS or other providers. Grant-in-aid is a 50% reimbursement program capped at $75,000 per company per fiscal year and $2,000 per trainee, while the tax credit is capped annually and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are scored based on county tier, wages, workforce development activity, veteran hiring, participation in consortia, and job growth. Members asked for data on trainees and industries served, and staff said they could provide it. They also discussed coordination with other workforce programs, especially KCTCS and the state’s TRAIN program, to avoid overlap and double dipping.
Several members asked about program usage and differences between fiscal years. Staff said the tax credit is less popular because it is not refundable and requires tax liability, while grant-in-aid is more attractive because it is cash reimbursement. They said lower or delayed spending in some years can reflect one-year training windows, reimbursement lag, new facilities ramping up, consortia activity, and special allocations such as those tied to Ford facilities. Questions also covered support for new businesses, which staff said can receive favorable scoring for new jobs and may have funds set aside for new location projects. On veterans, staff said they connect companies to Kentucky Valor and other resources, but the program does not track veteran retention outcomes.
The final discussion was on a draft bill related to the Kentucky Horse Park and the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Representative Vanessa Gracel and Kentucky Horse Park President Lee Carter explained that the proposal is intended to help the park maintain integrity and protect athletes, volunteers, coaches, trainers, and guests from abuse and misconduct. They described SafeSport’s federal role in Olympic and Paralympic sports and said they hope to move the draft forward as legislation in 2026. No votes were taken on the BSSC presentation or the horse park discussion.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
The July 2025 Flooding Events, General Investigating Jun 18th, 2026
The July 2025 Flooding Events, General Investigating
Transcript Highlights:
- response to Representative Myers' question, about what all of these able-bodied adults present on the campgrounds
- , like the nurses, the kitchen staff, the grounds crew, how they would do... ...campgrounds, like the
- Finally here. campgrounds, like the nurses, the kitchen staff, the grounds crew, how they would be expected
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Environment Committee Meeting - 2025-03-25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Legacy funds also made it possible to develop the Shipwreck Creek Campground at Split Rock Lighthouse
- Therefore, we use them for things like building the new campground, the Shipwreck Creek campground at
TX
Texas 89th Regular
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Sep 3rd, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Number one by Perry relating to campground and youth camp safety. The chair recognizes Mr. Darby.
- Chapter 762 will broadly set safety requirements for campgrounds while chapter.
- floodplain-related requirements in House Bill 1 and SB1... be one will remain intact even when youth camps and campgrounds
- Emergency egress ladders and campgrounds cabins should offer an opportunity for them to escape.
- Senate Bill number one by Perry, relating to campground and youth camp safety. Mr. Darby.
Bills:
SB 1, HCR 20, HR 131, HR 133, HR 135, HR 136, HR 137, HR 144, HR 145, HR 146, HR 149, HR 150, HR 151, HR 152, HR 158, HR 161, HR 162, HR 163, HR 165, HR 166, HR 168, HR 169, HR 170, HR 175, HR 178, HR 127, HR 129, HR 130, HR 132, HR 134, HR 138, HR 139, HR 140, HR 141, HR 142, HR 143, HR 153, HR 154, HR 155, HR 156, HR 159, HR 160, HR 164, HR 167, HR 172, HR 173, HR 176, SB 1, HB 8, HB 15, HB 27, SB 5
Keywords:
campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, memorial, remembrance, legacy, condolences, community, higher education, university merger, research, public health, economic impact, healthcare, insurance, affordability, medical coverage, state regulations
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 4/10/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- with the lack of an operating adjustment, these cuts may include reduced upkeep and cleaning of campgrounds
- cleaning<00:09:09.040>
of reduced upkeep and cleaning of reduced upkeep and cleaning of campgrounds - 10.160>
visitor <00:09:10.560>centers <00:09:10.959>in <00:09:11.200>our campgrounds - and visitor centers in our campgrounds and visitor centers in our state<00:09:11.680>
parks, <
Bills:
HF2439
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- fall, you will notice the thousands of lakes, rivers, parks, trails, recreation areas, forests, campgrounds
- rivers Parks Trails Recreation areas rivers Parks Trails Recreation areas forests<00:02:56.319>
campgrounds - <00:02:56.920>
Resorts <00:02:57.400>Wildlife forests campgrounds Resorts Wildlife - forests campgrounds Resorts Wildlife areas<00:02:58.239>
beaches <00:02:58.760>and <00:02
TX
Texas 89th Regular
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Aug 21st, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- gambling with the lives of our campers and the lives of our families. of many who work at these campgrounds
- It ensures campgrounds notify local officials of all changes in structures and operations to ensure that
- Before I close on this amendment, I want to thank the many stakeholders, including the campgrounds, who
Keywords:
youth camps, emergency preparedness, safety standards, health regulations, camp licensing, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 28, 2026 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- lot of times, we're making repairs to campsites, and that translates to the agency while those campgrounds
- They were very generous during those time periods when we had to close campgrounds to be able to start
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Evaluation & Accountability Program Jun 29th, 2026
Legislative Evaluation & Accountability Program
Transcript Highlights:
- So I'm just wondering, we've had campground closures, it looks like 19, and shortened sessions and budget
- we got capital monies in and we were looking at those investments into building new shelters and campgrounds
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, approved the June 18, 2025 minutes, and heard four proposed budget format changes. Washington State Parks requested a structural change to separate and better track its Stewardship Services Division, including cultural and natural resources, environmental planning, and Climate Commitment Act investments. DCYF proposed moving direct service functions now housed in program support into the child welfare program so operational costs and direct services would be reported separately; members asked how this would help avoid across-the-board reductions affecting direct services, and the agency said the change would improve transparency and prevent that problem. The Department of Transportation sought to create a new Ferries Program Support sub-program to consolidate four related projects and two existing sub-programs into one administrative/project support structure, while the Department of Veterans Affairs requested only a title change for Program 20 from Field Services to Veteran Services and Counseling and Wellness. The committee voted unanimously to approve all four changes.
Kevin Feltis then gave an interim work plan and staffing update for LEAP. He said the office is continuing work on the rewritten capital budget application (BuildSUM), updating the transportation bond model, completing carry-forward levels for the 2027-29 biennium, publishing 2026 legislative budget notes, updating 2025 salary data, and participating in a LegiTech AI pilot for system development within the legislative network. He also noted LEAP’s role in supporting the new Joint Legislative Executive Committee on Budget Transparency and Fiscal Sustainability. Staffing remained steady at 11 FTEs, with no retirements or staffing changes in the past year, though one vacancy may be filled later and two retirements are anticipated over the next four to five years.
The committee also discussed updates to the fiscal.wa.gov website. Planned work includes streamlining how budget data is updated when budgets are released, converting more than 100 reports from Microsoft Reporting Services to Power BI because support is ending, and evaluating whether the site’s search tool should be improved or replaced. Senators and representatives raised concerns about the number of clicks needed to reach capital and transportation project maps and about making public-facing budget information easier to find and understand. Staff said the website redesign was based on prior user testing and that they would look at ways to make maps and other top-level information more accessible.
Finally, the committee elected new officers under its alternating-chair rule. Representative Gregerson was nominated and elected chair, and Senator King was nominated and elected vice chair. The meeting then adjourned.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- location through the phone call with such vague terms like by the big rock, by the big turn, by the campground
- big<00:18:49.039>
turn, <00:18:49.520>by <00:18:49.760>the <00:18:50.000>campground - ,<00:18:50.640>
by <00:18:50.799>the big turn, by the campground, by the big turn, - by the campground, by the hiking<00:18:51.360>
trail.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 5, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- So a few of the projects we're working on include the Holder Mine campground improvements there with
- We're really looking at infrastructure upgrades, whether it's roads or campground facilities, and we're
Summary:
The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee met with a quorum and heard two Department of Agriculture presentations. First, the Director of Rural and Family Lands described the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, which buys development rights through perpetual conservation easements on private agricultural land to preserve farming, wildlife habitat, water resources, and open space while keeping land taxable and avoiding state maintenance costs. He said the program has expanded rapidly since 2023 through streamlined applications, templates, and an online portal, increasing acreage protected from about 66,000 acres through 2022 to more than 210,000 acres, with a higher share in the Florida wildlife corridor. He also said review times were reduced by more than 85 days and that projects under $5 million can move faster under statutory authority. The department is seeking $200 million in nonrecurring funding on top of $100 million recurring, citing 203 existing projects and 224 new applications totaling nearly $2 billion in estimated need. Members asked about the scientific ranking process, South Florida participation, project prioritization, maintenance responsibilities, and whether landowners can exit the program; staff said land remains privately owned, easements are in perpetuity, and partnerships and cost-sharing are prioritized.
The committee then heard from the Florida Forest Service director, who outlined the agency’s dual mission of wildfire response and land management. He said the service responds to roughly 2,200 to 2,500 wildfires annually, manages 38 state forests and one ranch totaling more than 1.1 million acres, and receives about 15 million visitors each year. He highlighted the impact of Senate Bill 1638 gaming compact funds, which provided $32 million for land management, recreation, equipment, roads, invasive species control, habitat restoration, prescribed burning, reforestation, and staffing support. He said Florida leads the nation in prescribed fire, with 277,818 acres burned on state forests last year and 2.47 million acres burned statewide, and noted ongoing restoration work such as Picayune Strand. He also described challenges including aging equipment, deferred maintenance, contractor availability, and timber market instability caused by hurricanes and mill closures, and suggested longer-term funding and a higher capital asset allowance. Members discussed timber markets, public communication and marketing, recreation fees, and coordination with other agencies and FDOT. The meeting ended with the chair noting that next week’s meeting would report out agency conversations and budget recommendations, and the committee rose.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Aug 22nd, 2025
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- We support HB 75 because it should lead to better, more flood-resistant buildings in campgrounds near
- House Bill 171 requires campgrounds located on or near bodies of water prone to flooding to provide written
- Campers, or a parent or guardian in the case of a minor, must sign and return a statement to the campground
- A campground operator who fails to comply with the flood-risk notice requirement will face a civil penalty
Keywords:
HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert, Silver Alert, Blue Alert, missing persons alerts, accessible alerts, hearing impaired
Summary:
The committee met in special session to hear a series of flood, preparedness, and youth-camp safety bills, with members repeatedly noting that many of the measures were intended as planning, warning, or authority-clarifying bills rather than direct spending bills. House Bill 254 would expand eligibility for the Rural Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program to include Kerr County and 18 other flood-affected counties by raising the GDP cap and lowering the poverty threshold; it drew no opposition and was left pending. House Bill 68 would direct a study of flood mitigation in flatland areas, especially in the Rio Grande Valley, to develop cost-effective drainage and infrastructure recommendations; local officials and advocates supported it, and it was also left pending.
The committee then heard several youth camp bills tied to the recent Hill Country flooding. House Bill 75 would impose flood-aware building and site standards for youth camps near floodplains, and House Bill 71 would require camps and youth activity entities to submit emergency preparedness plans to TDEM, coordinate with local responders, and maintain readiness protocols; both bills were supported by safety advocates and camp representatives, and both were left pending. House Bill 171 would require campgrounds near flood-prone waters to give written flood-risk notice to campers and obtain signed acknowledgment; it was presented as informed consent and left pending. Testimony on these bills emphasized Camp Mystic and other recent flood tragedies, with some witnesses urging broader building-code and floodplain reforms.
The committee also heard House Bill 117, which would let counties regulate impervious cover for flood mitigation in unincorporated areas. Supporters, including county officials, environmental groups, and residents, argued that rapid development in the Hill Country and other growing areas is worsening runoff and downstream flooding; opponents from the builders’ association said counties already have substantial authority and warned about overreach into rural property use. After extensive testimony, the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 18 would streamline permitting for certain flood control districts to repair dams and reservoirs and build small holding areas, and it was left pending after supportive testimony from Plum Creek Conservation District. Senate Bill 3 would create a state-backed outdoor flood warning siren program for identified flood-prone areas, funded through a grant program; witnesses generally supported it, though some cautioned that sirens are not sufficient by themselves and may not be heard indoors or in overnight storms. It too was left pending. The committee also began hearing House Bill 149 on public-safety radio interoperability, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s full testimony or action is shown.