TWELFTH DAY --- WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2025
The house met at 11:10 p.m. and was called to order by the speaker.
The roll of the house was called and a quorum was announced present (Record 163).
Present — Mr. Speaker(C); Alders; Allen; Ashby; Barry; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bernal; Bhojani; Bonnen; Bowers; Bryant; Buckley; Bucy; Bumgarner; Button; Cain; Canales; Capriglione; Cole; Collier; Cook; Cortez; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; Davis, A.; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dutton; Dyson; Fairly; Flores; Frank; Gámez; Garcia Hernandez; Gates; Gerdes; Geren; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Harris Davila; Harrison; Hayes; Hefner; Hickland; Hinojosa; Holt; Hopper; Howard; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Johnson; Kerwin; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lalani; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Little; Longoria; Lopez, J.; Lopez, R.; Louderback; Lowe; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; Manuel; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Meza; Money; Moody; Morgan; Muñoz; Noble; Olcott; Oliverson; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Phelan; Pierson; Raymond; Richardson; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Schatzline; Schofield; Schoolcraft; Shaheen; Shofner; Simmons; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller; Swanson; Talarico; Tepper; Thompson; Tinderholt; Toth; Troxclair; Turner; VanDeaver; Vasut; Villalobos; Virdell; Vo; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wharton; Wilson; Wu; Zwiener.
Absent, Excused — Anchía; Davis, Y.; Dean; Garcia, L.; Guerra; Hernandez; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Lambert; Martinez Fischer; Morales, E.; Morales Shaw; Reynolds.
Absent — Campos; Garcia, J.; Martinez; Morales, C.; Ordaz; Plesa; Rodríguez Ramos.
LEAVES OF ABSENCE GRANTED
On motion of Representative Darby and by unanimous consent, all members who were granted leaves of absence on the previous legislative day were granted leaves for this legislative day.
REGULAR ORDER OF BUSINESS SUSPENDED
On motion of Representative Darby and by unanimous consent, the reading and referral of bills was postponed until just prior to adjournment.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE GRANTED
The following member was granted leave of absence for today because of important business:
Lambert on motion of Ashby.
MAJOR STATE CALENDAR
SENATE BILLS
THIRD READING
The following bills were laid before the house and read third time:
SB 1 ON THIRD READING
(Darby - House Sponsor)
SB 1, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to campground and youth camp safety.
SB 1 was passed by (Record 164): 120 Yeas, 4 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.
Yeas — Alders; Allen; Barry; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bernal; Bhojani; Bonnen; Bowers; Bryant; Buckley; Bucy; Bumgarner; Button; Canales; Capriglione; Cole; Collier; Cook; Cortez; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; Davis, A.; DeAyala; Dutton; Dyson; Fairly; Flores; Frank; Gámez; Garcia Hernandez; Gates; Gerdes; Geren; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Harris Davila; Hayes; Hefner; Hickland; Holt; Hopper; Howard; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Johnson; Kerwin; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lalani; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Little; Longoria; Lopez, J.; Lopez, R.; Louderback; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; Manuel; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Meza; Money; Moody; Morgan; Muñoz; Noble; Oliverson; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Phelan; Pierson; Raymond; Richardson; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Schatzline; Schoolcraft; Shaheen; Shofner; Simmons; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller; Talarico; Tepper; Thompson; Tinderholt; Toth; Troxclair; Turner; VanDeaver; Vasut; Villalobos; Virdell; Vo; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wharton; Wilson; Wu; Zwiener.
Nays — Dorazio; Harrison; Lowe; Olcott.
Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C).
Absent, Excused — Anchía; Davis, Y.; Dean; Garcia, L.; Guerra; Hernandez; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Lambert; Martinez Fischer; Morales, E.; Morales Shaw; Reynolds.
Absent — Ashby; Cain; Campos; Garcia, J.; Hinojosa; Martinez; Morales, C.; Ordaz; Plesa; Rodríguez Ramos; Schofield; Swanson.
STATEMENTS OF VOTE
When Record No. 164 was taken, I was shown voting no. I intended to vote yes.
Lowe
When Record No. 164 was taken, I was shown voting yes. I intended to vote no.
Virdell
REASON FOR VOTE
Representative Lowe submitted the following reason for vote to be printed in the journal:
It was my intent to stand with the representative from Kerr County. He opposed the bill on second reading, but it seems his concerns regarding impact on his district were addressed by third reading. Had I been aware of that, I would have voted in favor of SB 1 on third reading.
HB 20 - HOUSE CONCURS IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
TEXT OF SENATE AMENDMENTS
Without objection, Representative Darby called up with senate amendments for consideration at this time,
HB 20, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to certain measures to prevent and reduce fraudulent charitable solicitations and theft during disasters, including establishing a voluntary accreditation program for disaster relief organizations; creating a criminal offense; increasing a criminal penalty; providing a civil cause of action.
Representative Darby moved to concur in the senate amendments to HB 20.
The motion to concur in the senate amendments to HB 20 prevailed by (Record 165): 129 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.
Yeas — Alders; Allen; Ashby; Barry; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bernal; Bhojani; Bonnen; Bowers; Bryant; Buckley; Bucy; Bumgarner; Button; Cain; Canales; Capriglione; Cole; Collier; Cook; Cortez; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; Davis, A.; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dutton; Dyson; Fairly; Flores; Frank; Gámez; Garcia Hernandez; Gates; Gerdes; Geren; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Harris Davila; Harrison; Hayes; Hefner; Hickland; Hinojosa; Holt; Hopper; Howard; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Johnson; Kerwin; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lalani; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Little; Longoria; Lopez, J.; Lopez, R.; Louderback; Lowe; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; Manuel; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Meza; Money; Moody; Morgan; Muñoz; Noble; Olcott; Oliverson; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Phelan; Pierson; Raymond; Richardson; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Schatzline; Schofield; Schoolcraft; Shaheen; Shofner; Simmons; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller; Swanson; Talarico; Tepper; Thompson; Tinderholt; Toth; Troxclair; Turner; VanDeaver; Vasut; Villalobos; Virdell; Vo; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wharton; Wilson; Wu; Zwiener.
Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C).
Absent, Excused — Anchía; Davis, Y.; Dean; Garcia, L.; Guerra; Hernandez; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Lambert; Martinez Fischer; Morales, E.; Morales Shaw; Reynolds.
Absent — Campos; Garcia, J.; Martinez; Morales, C.; Ordaz; Plesa; Rodríguez Ramos.
Senate Committee Substitute
CSHB 20, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to measures to prevent and reduce fraudulent charitable solicitations and theft during declared disasters, including establishing a designation program for disaster relief nonprofit organizations and financial institutions; creating a criminal offense; increasing a criminal penalty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
ARTICLE 1. SHORT TITLE
SECTION 1.01. This Act shall be known as the Disaster Scam Response Act.
ARTICLE 2. CONSUMER PROTECTION
SECTION 2.01. Chapter 418, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter L to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER L. DESIGNATION PROGRAM FOR DISASTER RELIEF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Sec. 418.401. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Designation program" means the designation program established under this subchapter.
(2) "Declared disaster" means:
(A) a disaster declared by the president of the United States;
(B) a state of disaster declared by the governor under Section 418.014; or
(C) a local state of disaster declared by the presiding officer of the governing body of a political subdivision under Section 418.108.
Sec. 418.402. DESIGNATION PROGRAM FOR DISASTER RELIEF DONATIONS; DESIGNATION NOT REQUIRED. (a) The secretary of state shall establish and administer a designation program for political subdivisions in this state to designate a nonprofit organization or financial institution to solicit and accept donations for disaster relief efforts during a declared disaster threatening the political subdivision.
(b) The purpose of the designation program is to assist the residents of each political subdivision of this state in identifying a reputable nonprofit organization or financial institution to which the residents may donate to support disaster relief efforts during a declared disaster threatening the political subdivision.
(c) A nonprofit organization or financial institution is not required to receive a designation under the designation program to solicit or accept donations in response to a declared disaster.
Sec. 418.403. DESIGNATION APPROVAL. (a) Each political subdivision in this state shall select and submit to the secretary of state in the manner prescribed by the secretary of state a nonprofit organization or financial institution the political subdivision proposes to designate under this subchapter to solicit and accept disaster relief donations during a declared disaster threatening the political subdivision.
(b) The secretary of state shall develop guidelines for approving a nonprofit organization or financial institution a political subdivision submits for designation under Subsection (a).
Sec. 418.404. NOTICE OF DESIGNATION. (a) Each political subdivision shall include in the political subdivision's emergency management plan the name of the nonprofit organization or financial institution approved for designation under the designation program.
(b) Each political subdivision shall, on the political subdivision's Internet website, publish:
(1) the name of and contact information for the nonprofit organization or financial institution approved for designation under the designation program; and
(2) information to assist individuals in avoiding fraudulent charitable solicitations during a declared disaster.
SECTION 2.02. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the secretary of state shall adopt rules to implement Subchapter L, Chapter 418, Government Code, as added by this article.
ARTICLE 3. CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR DISASTER SCAMS
SECTION 3.01. Section 31.03, Penal Code, is amended by amending Subsection (e) and adding Subsection (f-3) to read as follows:
(e) Except as otherwise provided by this section [Subsections (f) and (f-1)], an offense under this section is:
(1) a Class C misdemeanor if the value of the property stolen is less than $100;
(2) a Class B misdemeanor if:
(A) the value of the property stolen is $100 or more but less than $750;
(B) the value of the property stolen is less than $100 and the defendant has previously been convicted of any grade of theft; or
(C) the property stolen is a driver's license, commercial driver's license, or personal identification certificate issued by this state or another state;
(3) a Class A misdemeanor if the value of the property stolen is $750 or more but less than $2,500;
(4) a state jail felony if:
(A) the value of the property stolen is $2,500 or more but less than $30,000, or the property is less than 10 head of sheep, swine, or goats or any part thereof under the value of $30,000;
(B) regardless of value, the property is stolen from the person of another or from a human corpse or grave, including property that is a military grave marker;
(C) the property stolen is a firearm;
(D) the value of the property stolen is less than $2,500 and the defendant has been previously convicted two or more times of any grade of theft;
(E) the property stolen is an official ballot or official carrier envelope for an election;
(F) the value of the property stolen is less than $20,000 and the property stolen is:
(i) aluminum;
(ii) bronze;
(iii) copper; or
(iv) brass; [or]
(G) the cost of replacing the property stolen is less than $30,000 and the property stolen is a catalytic converter; or
(H) the value of the property stolen is less than $30,000 and the property was stolen in a disaster area and came into the actor's custody, possession, or control by virtue of the actor's status or purported status as a disaster volunteer, as that term is defined by Section 32.61;
(5) a felony of the third degree if the value of the property stolen is $30,000 or more but less than $150,000, or the property is:
(A) cattle, horses, or exotic livestock or exotic fowl as defined by Section 142.001, Agriculture Code, stolen during a single transaction and having an aggregate value of less than $150,000;
(B) 10 or more head of sheep, swine, or goats stolen during a single transaction and having an aggregate value of less than $150,000; or
(C) a controlled substance, having a value of less than $150,000, if stolen from:
(i) a commercial building in which a controlled substance is generally stored, including a pharmacy, clinic, hospital, nursing facility, or warehouse; or
(ii) a vehicle owned or operated by a wholesale distributor of prescription drugs;
(6) a felony of the second degree if:
(A) the value of the property stolen is $150,000 or more but less than $300,000; or
(B) the value of the property stolen is less than $300,000 and the property stolen is an automated teller machine or the contents or components of an automated teller machine; or
(7) a felony of the first degree if the value of the property stolen is $300,000 or more.
(f-3) The increase in the punishment provided by Section 12.50 for an offense under this section does not apply if the penalty described by Subsection (e)(4)(H) applies.
SECTION 3.02. Section 31.03(h), Penal Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (9) to read as follows:
(9) "Disaster area" is an area that was, at the time of the offense:
(A) subject to a disaster declaration issued by:
(i) the president of the United States under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. Section 5121 et seq.);
(ii) the governor under Section 418.014, Government Code; or
(iii) the presiding officer of the governing body of a political subdivision under Section 418.108, Government Code; or
(B) subject to an emergency evacuation order.
SECTION 3.03. Subchapter D, Chapter 32, Penal Code, is amended by adding Section 32.61 to read as follows:
Sec. 32.61. MALICIOUS SOLICITATION OF DISASTER VICTIM OR FOR DISASTER RESPONSE OR RECOVERY. (a) In this section:
(1) "Disaster" has the meaning assigned by Section 418.004, Government Code.
(2) "Disaster volunteer" means a person who provides or offers to provide a service at no cost to or at the direction of:
(A) a victim of a disaster; or
(B) a governmental entity engaged in disaster response or recovery.
(3) "Relative" has the meaning assigned by Section 20.01.
(4) "Victim of a disaster" means a person who has suffered harm as a result of a disaster.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person, with the intent to defraud or harm any person:
(1) solicits a donation from another person while inducing the other person to believe that the donation will be used for disaster response or recovery, regardless of the manner of solicitation;
(2) solicits donations on behalf of a donee with the intent to retain the donations instead of delivering the donations to the donee on whose behalf the donations were solicited;
(3) solicits payment from a victim of a disaster after:
(A) providing services to the victim that are related to disaster response or recovery, including debris removal or transportation; and
(B) inducing the victim to believe that:
(i) the person is a disaster volunteer; and
(ii) the services described by Paragraph (A) would be provided at no cost to the victim; or
(4) solicits payment from a victim of a disaster while inducing the victim to believe that the actor will search for or return to the victim a relative who is believed to be missing as a result of the disaster.
(c) An offense under Subsection (b)(1), (2), or (3) is:
(1) for a first offense, a felony of the third degree; or
(2) for a second or subsequent offense, a felony of the second degree.
(d) Notwithstanding Subsection (c), an offense under Subsection (b)(1), (2), or (3) is a felony of the first degree if the person fabricated a designation described by Subchapter L, Chapter 418, Government Code.
(e) An offense under Subsection (b)(4) is a felony of the first degree.
(f) If conduct that constitutes an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under any other law, the actor may be prosecuted under this section or the other law, or both.
SECTION 3.04. Section 31.03, Penal Code, as amended by this article, applies only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.
ARTICLE 4. CIVIL LIABILITY FOR MALICIOUS SOLICITATION DURING DISASTER
SECTION 4.01. Title 4, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is amended by adding Chapter 100D to read as follows:
CHAPTER 100D. LIABILITY FOR MALICIOUS SOLICITATION DURING DISASTER
Sec. 100D.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "malicious solicitation during a disaster" means conduct that constitutes an offense under Section 32.61, Penal Code.
Sec. 100D.002. LIABILITY. A person who engages in malicious solicitation during a disaster is liable to the donee on whose behalf the payment was collected, the donee's estate, the donor from whom the payment was solicited, or the donor's estate.
Sec. 100D.003. DAMAGES. (a) A court shall award a donee or donee's estate who prevails in an action brought under this chapter:
(1) 300 percent of the amount of donations the defendant collected on behalf of the donee; and
(2) reasonable and necessary attorney's fees.
(b) A court shall award a donor or a donor's estate who prevails in an action brought under this chapter:
(1) 300 percent of the amount of donations the defendant collected from the donor; and
(2) reasonable and necessary attorney's fees.
(c) Nothing in this section prevents a donee, donee's estate, donor, or donor's estate from pursuing a claim for exemplary damages under Chapter 41 for the defendant's malicious solicitation during a disaster.
SECTION 4.02. Chapter 100D, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as added by this article, applies only to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of this Act.
ARTICLE 5. EFFECTIVE DATE
SECTION 5.01. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.
HB 1 - HOUSE CONCURS IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
TEXT OF SENATE AMENDMENTS
Without objection, Representative Darby called up with senate amendments for consideration at this time,
HB 1, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to youth camp and campground emergency preparedness; authorizing civil and other penalties; making appropriations.
Representative Darby moved to concur in the senate amendments to HB 1.
The motion to concur in the senate amendments to HB 1 prevailed by (Record 166): 122 Yeas, 4 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.
Yeas — Alders; Allen; Ashby; Barry; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bernal; Bhojani; Bonnen; Bowers; Bryant; Buckley; Bucy; Bumgarner; Button; Canales; Capriglione; Cole; Collier; Cook; Cortez; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; Davis, A.; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dutton; Dyson; Fairly; Flores; Frank; Gámez; Garcia Hernandez; Gates; Gerdes; Geren; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Harris Davila; Hayes; Hefner; Hickland; Hinojosa; Holt; Hopper; Howard; Hull; Hunter; Isaac; Johnson; Kerwin; King; Kitzman; LaHood; Lalani; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Little; Longoria; Lopez, J.; Lopez, R.; Louderback; Lozano; Lujan; Luther; Manuel; McLaughlin; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Meza; Money; Moody; Morgan; Muñoz; Noble; Oliverson; Orr; Patterson; Paul; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Phelan; Pierson; Raymond; Richardson; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Schatzline; Schoolcraft; Shaheen; Shofner; Simmons; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller; Talarico; Tepper; Thompson; Tinderholt; Toth; Troxclair; Turner; VanDeaver; Vasut; Villalobos; Vo; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wharton; Wilson; Wu; Zwiener.
Nays — Harrison; Lowe; Olcott; Virdell.
Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C).
Absent, Excused — Anchía; Davis, Y.; Dean; Garcia, L.; Guerra; Hernandez; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Lambert; Martinez Fischer; Morales, E.; Morales Shaw; Reynolds.
Absent — Cain; Campos; Garcia, J.; Martinez; Morales, C.; Ordaz; Plesa; Rodríguez Ramos; Schofield; Swanson.
Senate Committee Substitute
CSHB 1, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to youth camp emergency plans and preparedness; authorizing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the Youth Camp Alert, Mitigation, Preparedness, and Emergency Response (Youth CAMPER) Act.
SECTION 2. Section 141.002, Health and Safety Code, is amended by amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivisions (1-a), (2-a), (2-b), and (2-c) to read as follows:
(1) "Cabin" means a structure used to provide temporary sleeping quarters for campers.
(1-a) "Camper" means a minor who is attending a youth camp on a day care or boarding basis.
(2-a) "Floodplain" has the meaning assigned by Section 762.001.
(2-b) "Floodway" means an area identified on the most recent flood hazard map published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. Section 4001 et seq.) as a regulatory floodway.
(2-c) "Governmental entity" means this state or a state agency or political subdivision of this state.
SECTION 3. Section 141.005(a), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:
(a) A person holding a license issued under this chapter must:
(1) renew the license annually by submitting a renewal application on a date determined by department rule on a form provided by the department; and
(2) submit a renewal application not later than the 30th day after the date the person:
(A) alters the boundaries of a youth camp operated by the person;
(B) completes construction of one or more new cabins located on the premises of the camp; or
(C) completes any renovation to one or more existing cabins located on the premises of the camp that:
(i) increases or decreases the number of beds in an affected cabin; or
(ii) alters the method of ingress or egress to an affected cabin.
SECTION 4. Section 141.008, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) The department shall review the camper to counselor ratios for overnight stays at youth camps and provide to the executive commissioner recommendations regarding minimum camper to counselor ratios. The executive commissioner by rule shall establish minimum camper to counselor ratios for overnight stays at youth camps.
SECTION 5. Chapter 141, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Sections 141.0071, 141.0081, 141.0091, 141.0092, 141.0093, and 141.0094 to read as follows:
Sec. 141.0071. ADDITIONAL INSPECTION REQUIRED; PARENTAL COMPLAINTS. (a) A youth camp operator shall include in a prominent place on the youth camp's publicly accessible Internet website a clearly marked link to the youth camp program web page on the department's Internet website for campers, parents, and camp staff and volunteers to use to report the camp's noncompliance with this chapter.
(b) The department shall investigate each complaint filed with the department for a youth camp to ensure the youth camp operator is properly implementing the camp's approved emergency plan submitted as required under Section 141.0091 and the camp complies with this chapter.
(c) A department investigation under this section must include an inspection to ensure the youth camp's compliance with this chapter. The inspection shall be performed in the same manner as an inspection under Section 141.007.
Sec. 141.0081. YOUTH CAMP SAFETY MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM. (a) The Youth Camp Safety Multidisciplinary Team is created within the department and is composed of at least one representative from:
(1) the department;
(2) the Texas Division of Emergency Management;
(3) the Texas Department of Insurance State Fire Marshal's Office;
(4) the Parks and Wildlife Department;
(5) the Texas Water Development Board;
(6) the Texas A&M Forest Service; and
(7) the Department of Public Safety.
(b) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall serve as the chair of the team.
(c) The team shall meet regularly to develop proposed minimum standards for youth camps under this chapter. The team shall present the proposed minimum standards to the executive commissioner as recommendations for adoption.
Sec. 141.0091. ADDITIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS; EMERGENCY PLAN. (a) As part of the health and safety standards established under Section 141.009, the executive commissioner by rule shall make applicable to a youth camp the requirements of Chapter 762 in the same manner as those requirements apply to a campground under that chapter.
(b) The executive commissioner by rule shall require a youth camp operator in the emergency plan the operator develops for a youth camp to:
(1) specify muster zones for campers and camp staff to gather in an emergency event that requires evacuation from any location within the premises of the camp;
(2) establish procedures for responding to an emergency event, other than an event addressed by Section 762.002, including:
(A) a lost camper;
(B) a fire on the premises of the camp;
(C) a severe injury, severe illness, serious accident, or death of one or more campers, visitors, camp staff, or camp volunteers that occurs:
(i) on camp premises; or
(ii) while under the supervision of camp staff;
(D) an aquatic emergency if the camp borders a watercourse, lake, pond, or any other body of water;
(E) an epidemic;
(F) an unauthorized or unknown individual present on the camp's premises;
(G) a transportation emergency; and
(H) any other natural disaster or emergency event required under department rules;
(3) establish procedures to identify and account for each camper affected by the emergency event;
(4) establish procedures to notify and communicate with:
(A) local emergency management services, including the emergency management director or coordinator designated under Section 418.1015, Government Code, by the political subdivision within which the camp is located;
(B) camp administrative and medical services staff; and
(C) the parents or legal guardians of each camper identified under Subdivision (3); and
(5) designate a camp emergency preparedness coordinator.
(c) The executive commissioner by rule shall require a youth camp operator at each youth camp the operator operates to:
(1) maintain an operable radio capable of providing real-time weather alerts issued by the National Weather Service or a similar professional weather service at the camp;
(2) install and maintain at the camp an emergency warning system that:
(A) is capable of alerting all campers and camp occupants of an emergency; and
(B) includes a public address system operable without reliance on an Internet connection;
(3) monitor safety alerts issued:
(A) by the National Weather Service or a similar professional weather service; and
(B) by local river authorities, if applicable to the camp, or through other local emergency notification systems; and
(4) certify the operator's compliance with this subsection.
(d) In developing a youth camp's emergency plan, a youth camp operator must annually submit the initial or updated plan to the department for approval in the form and manner the department prescribes.
(e) If the department determines a youth camp's submitted emergency plan does not meet the minimum standards prescribed by department rules, the youth camp operator shall revise and resubmit the plan not later than the 45th day after the date the operator receives notice from the department of the plan's deficiencies.
(f) A youth camp operator shall include any updated youth camp emergency plan as an attachment to each application to renew the operator's license under Section 141.005.
(g) Notwithstanding Section 762.002(c), not later than the 10th business day following the date the department approves a youth camp's emergency plan or, if the department determines the plan is deficient under Subsection (e), the camp's revised emergency plan, the operator shall provide a copy of the plan to:
(1) for a camp located in a municipality, the emergency management director or coordinator designated under Section 418.1015, Government Code, for the municipality; and
(2) the emergency management director or coordinator designated under Section 418.1015, Government Code, for the county.
(h) In developing a youth camp's emergency plan, a youth camp operator may consult with an emergency management director or coordinator described by Subsection (g).
(i) The department shall store in a digital database each emergency plan submitted to the department under this section or Section 762.002 and provide access to that database to:
(1) the Texas Division of Emergency Management; and
(2) each member of the Youth Camp Safety Multidisciplinary Team created under Section 141.0081.
(j) A youth camp operator shall:
(1) provide the most recent version of a youth camp's emergency plan submitted under this section to the parent or legal guardian of:
(A) a camper who is participating in a camp session; or
(B) a prospective camper who is registered to participate in a future camp session;
(2) notify the parent or legal guardian of a camper or prospective camper described by Subdivision (1) if any area of the camp is located within a floodplain; and
(3) ensure the parent or legal guardian signs and submits to the operator a statement acknowledging receipt of the notice required under Subdivision (2).
(k) Not more than 48 hours after each youth camp session begins, the youth camp operator or a youth camp staff member shall conduct a mandatory safety orientation that:
(1) notifies each camper of the camp's boundaries and any hazards present on the camp premises;
(2) instructs each camper on behavioral expectations in an emergency event; and
(3) provides each camper developmentally appropriate instruction on the appropriate actions and procedures to follow in an emergency event, in accordance with the camp's emergency plan required under this section and Section 762.002.
(l) At least once a year, a youth camp operator shall:
(1) provide each youth camp staff member and volunteer with a copy of the camp's most recent emergency plan;
(2) ensure each staff member and volunteer successfully completes training on the camp's emergency plan in compliance with any minimum standards and required hours established by department rule;
(3) instruct each staff member and volunteer on the proper procedures to follow in an emergency event under the plan; and
(4) maintain written records documenting each staff member's and volunteer's successful completion of the training required under this subsection.
(m) A youth camp operator shall:
(1) conspicuously post in each cabin on the youth camp premises the proper evacuation route described in the youth camp's emergency plan; and
(2) ensure each evacuation route on the camp premises is illuminated at night.
(n) Notwithstanding Section 141.0025, the department shall not grant a waiver from a requirement prescribed under this section or Chapter 762.
(o) An emergency plan submitted to, received by, or accessed by the department, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, an emergency management director or coordinator designated under Section 418.1015, Government Code, or any other governmental entity under this section is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code.
Sec. 141.0092. REDUNDANT INTERNET CONNECTIONS REQUIRED. (a) In this section, "broadband service" has the meaning assigned by Section 490I.0101, Government Code.
(b) A youth camp operator shall provide and maintain for a youth camp:
(1) Internet services through a broadband service that connects to the Internet using end-to-end fiber optic facilities; and
(2) a secondary Internet connection through a broadband service distinct from the service described under Subdivision (1).
Sec. 141.0093. REQUIRED NOTICE FOR MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN YOUTH CAMP STRUCTURES OR ACTIVITY LOCATIONS. (a) A youth camp operator shall notify the department, in the form and manner prescribed by the department, of any modification to:
(1) a structure intended to facilitate youth camp activities; or
(2) the location of a camp activity on the camp's premises.
(b) On receiving notification of a modification described by Subsection (a), the department may require the youth camp operator to update the youth camp's emergency plan under Section 141.0091.
Sec. 141.0094. DENIAL OR SUSPENSION OF LICENSE FOR NONCOMPLIANCE. (a) The department shall not issue a license or renew a license for a youth camp under this chapter if the youth camp operator is not in compliance with Sections 141.0091 and 141.0092 or a rule adopted under those sections.
(b) The department shall suspend a youth camp license issued by the department if the camp or youth camp operator is in violation of Section 141.0091 or 141.0092. The department may reinstate the license only on or after the date the department determines the camp and the operator are in compliance with Sections 141.0091 and 141.0092.
SECTION 6. Notwithstanding Section 141.0081, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, the Youth Camp Safety Multidisciplinary Team is not required to hold its first meeting until September 1, 2026.
SECTION 7. Not later than January 1, 2026, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt the rules required by Section 141.0091, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 8. Notwithstanding Section 141.0091, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, a youth camp operator is not required to submit a youth camp emergency plan to the Department of State Health Services until April 1, 2026.
SECTION 9. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.
Senate Amendment No. 1 (Senate Floor Amendment No. 1)
Amend CSHB 1 (senate committee report) in SECTION 5 of the bill, by striking added Section 141.0091(c), Health and Safety Code, and substituting the following:
(c) The executive commissioner by rule shall require a youth camp operator to, at each youth camp the operator operates:
(1) maintain an operable radio capable of providing real-time weather alerts issued by the National Weather Service or a similar professional weather service at the camp;
(2) install and maintain at the camp an emergency warning system that:
(A) is capable of alerting all campers and camp occupants of an emergency; and
(B) includes a public address system operable without reliance on an Internet connection;
(3) monitor safety alerts issued:
(A) by the National Weather Service or a similar professional weather service; and
(B) by local river authorities, if applicable to the camp, or through other local emergency notification systems; and
(4) certify the operator's compliance with this subsection.
PROVIDING FOR ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE
At 11:23 p.m., Representative Geren moved that, at the conclusion of the receipt of messages, the signing of bills and resolutions, and administrative actions, the house stand adjourned sine die in memory of the Honorable Jodie Anne Laubenberg of Collin County.
The motion prevailed by (Record 167): 96 Yeas, 30 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.
Yeas — Alders; Allen; Ashby; Barry; Bell, C.; Bell, K.; Bernal; Bhojani; Bonnen; Bowers; Bryant; Buckley; Bucy; Button; Canales; Capriglione; Cole; Collier; Craddick; Cunningham; Curry; Darby; Davis, A.; DeAyala; Dorazio; Dutton; Dyson; Fairly; Flores; Frank; Gámez; Garcia Hernandez; Gates; Gerdes; Geren; Gervin-Hawkins; González, J.; González, M.; Goodwin; Guillen; Harless; Harris; Harris Davila; Hefner; Hickland; Hinojosa; Howard; Hull; Hunter; Johnson; King; Kitzman; Lalani; Landgraf; Leach; Leo Wilson; Longoria; Lopez, J.; Lopez, R.; Lujan; Manuel; McQueeney; Metcalf; Meyer; Meza; Moody; Muñoz; Noble; Oliverson; Orr; Paul; Perez, M.; Perez, V.; Phelan; Raymond; Romero; Rose; Rosenthal; Shaheen; Simmons; Smithee; Spiller; Talarico; Tepper; Thompson; Troxclair; Turner; VanDeaver; Vasut; Villalobos; Vo; Walle; Ward Johnson; Wilson; Wu; Zwiener.
Nays — Bumgarner; Cook; Harrison; Hayes; Holt; Hopper; Isaac; Kerwin; LaHood; Little; Louderback; Lowe; Lozano; Luther; McLaughlin; Money; Olcott; Patterson; Pierson; Richardson; Schatzline; Schofield; Schoolcraft; Shofner; Slawson; Swanson; Tinderholt; Toth; Virdell; Wharton.
Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker(C).
Absent, Excused — Anchía; Davis, Y.; Dean; Garcia, L.; Guerra; Hernandez; Jones, J.; Jones, V.; Lambert; Martinez Fischer; Morales, E.; Morales Shaw; Reynolds.
Absent — Cain; Campos; Cortez; Garcia, J.; Martinez; Morales, C.; Morgan; Ordaz; Plesa; Rodríguez Ramos.
STATEMENTS OF VOTE
When Record No. 167 was taken, I was shown voting yes. I intended to vote no.
Harris Davila
When Record No. 167 was taken, I was shown voting yes. I intended to vote no.
Hickland
When Record No. 167 was taken, I was shown voting yes. I intended to vote no.
Leo Wilson
REASON FOR VOTE
Representative Leo Wilson submitted the following reason for vote to be printed in the journal:
I thought the senate had already voted to sine die so there was no business left that could be done by the house. I voted yes, but I should have voted no.
MIDNIGHT
The proceedings continued after 12 a.m., and the following actions occurred on Thursday, September 4:
(McQueeney in the chair)
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
A message from the senate was received at this time (see the addendum to the daily journal, Messages from the Senate, Message No. 1).
HOUSE AT EASE
At 12:41 a.m., the chair announced that the house would stand at ease.
The chair called the house to order at 1:13 a.m.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
A message from the senate was received at this time (see the addendum to the daily journal, Messages from the Senate, Message No. 2).
HOUSE AT EASE
At 1:14 a.m. Thursday, September 4, the chair announced that the house would stand at ease.
Thursday, September 4
The chair called the house to order at 9:01 a.m. Thursday, September 4.
BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS SIGNED BY THE SPEAKER
Notice was given at this time that the speaker had signed bills and resolutions in the presence of the house (see the addendum to the daily journal, Signed by the Speaker, House List Nos. 5 and 6 and Senate List No. 5).
ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE
In accordance with a previous motion, Speaker Burrows, at 9:02 a.m. Thursday, September 4, pronounced the House of Representatives of the Second Called Session of the Eighty-Ninth Legislature adjourned sine die.
ADDENDUM
SIGNED BY THE SPEAKER
The following bills and resolutions were today signed in the presence of the house by the speaker:
House List No. 5
HB 1, HB 18, HB 20
House List No. 6
HCR 2, HCR 3, HCR 4, HCR 5, HCR 6, HCR 7, HCR 8, HCR 14, HCR 16, HCR 20
Senate List No. 5
SB 1, SB 5
MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE
The following messages from the senate were today received by the house:
Message No. 1
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
SENATE CHAMBER
Austin, Texas
Thursday, September 4, 2025
The Honorable Speaker of the House
House Chamber
Austin, Texas
Mr. Speaker:
I am directed by the senate to inform the house that the senate has taken the following action:
THE SENATE HAS PASSED THE FOLLOWING MEASURES:
HB 18
Shaheen
SPONSOR: Hinojosa, Adam
|
Relating to a restriction on the acceptance of political contributions and the making of certain political expenditures by a member of the legislature and certain political committees during certain periods in which a member is absent from a legislative session; authorizing a civil penalty.
THE SENATE HAS CONCURRED IN THE HOUSE AMENDMENTS TO THE FOLLOWING MEASURES:
Respectfully,
Patsy Spaw
Secretary of the Senate
Message No. 2
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE
SENATE CHAMBER
Austin, Texas
Thursday, September 4, 2025 - 2
The Honorable Speaker of the House
House Chamber
Austin, Texas
Mr. Speaker:
I am directed by the senate to inform the house that the senate has taken the following action:
THE SENATE HAS PASSED THE FOLLOWING MEASURES:
HCR 2
Virdell
SPONSOR: Flores
|
In memory of the victims of the July 2025 Hill Country floods.
HCR 3
Craddick
SPONSOR: Sparks
|
Commemorating the dedication of the Children's Emergency Relief International George M. Cowden Building in Austin.
HCR 4
Craddick
SPONSOR: Sparks
|
Congratulating Rickey and Anne Lowe of Horseshoe Bay on their 47th wedding anniversary.
HCR 5
Craddick
SPONSOR: Sparks
|
Congratulating Don Sparks of Midland on receiving the 2025 Chief Roughneck Award from the Independent Petroleum Association of America.
HCR 6
Craddick
SPONSOR: Sparks
|
Congratulating the Senior Life Midland Meals on Wheels program on delivering its five millionth meal.
HCR 7
Craddick
SPONSOR: Sparks
|
In memory of Richard Augustus Hewitt of San Antonio.
HCR 8
Craddick
SPONSOR: Sparks
|
Congratulating Charles and Margaret Semple of Midland on their 60th wedding anniversary.
HCR 14
Vasut
SPONSOR: Huffman
|
Congratulating Lori Rickert on her retirement as presiding judge for Brazoria County Court at Law No. 4 and Probate Court.
HCR 16
Craddick
SPONSOR: Sparks
|
Congratulating Barbara Jean Bolden Yarbrough of Midland on the occasion of her 90th birthday.
HCR 20
Craddick
SPONSOR: Sparks
|
Commemorating the 75th anniversary of St. Ann's Catholic School in Midland.
Respectfully,
Patsy Spaw
Secretary of the Senate
APPENDIX
ENGROSSED
September 2 - HB 18