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Read. Follow. Verify.Texas Bill HB 123 Sets Mandatory Flood, Fire, and Emergency Safety Rules for Youth Camps
Last action · August 22, 2025: Left pending in committeeSponsor: Suleman Lalani
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What This Bill Proposed
Texas HB 123 prohibits the Health and Human Services Commission from issuing or renewing a youth camp license unless the camp meets strict emergency preparedness requirements, including bans on overnight facilities in flood plains, mandatory weather alert radios, backup emergency warning systems, and approved evacuation plans. The measure also requires camps to designate a staff emergency preparedness supervisor and conduct regular safety drills starting on the 91st day after the legislative session ends.
Youth camp operators must secure local emergency agency approval for written evacuation plans, procure real-time weather alert radios, and prohibit overnight lodging in flood plains to maintain licensure.
- Youth camps in Texas are licensed and regulated under Chapter 141 of the Health and Safety Code by the Health and Human Services Commission. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Youth camp operators
Youth camp operators must comply with new licensing prerequisites, including flood plain restrictions, emergency warning system installations, written emergency plans approved by local agencies, and weekly occupant reporting.
Campers and parents
Campers and their parents or legal guardians must receive copies of the camp's emergency preparedness plan before each camp session begins.
Local emergency response agencies
Local emergency response agencies must review and approve youth camp emergency preparedness plans and receive weekly headcounts of occupants.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must approve the youth camp's emergency preparedness plan?
What is the role of the emergency preparedness supervisor?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
8 actions- Aug 22, 2025HouseLeft pending in committee
- Aug 22, 2025HouseTestimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
- Aug 22, 2025HouseConsidered in public hearing
- Aug 22, 2025HouseScheduled for public hearing on . . .
- Aug 21, 2025HousePosting rule suspended
- Aug 18, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to Disaster Preparedness & Flooding
Show 2 earlier actions
- Aug 18, 2025HouseIntroducedRead first time
- Aug 15, 2025HouseIntroducedFiled
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Mandatory Local Emergency Plan Approval
The bill shifts oversight by requiring youth camps to secure explicit written approval of emergency preparedness plans from local emergency response agencies rather than relying solely on state administrative rules.
Connected Entities
Sources
capitol.texas.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 75)
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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