Parents of Camp Mystic flood victims set to testify at Senate hearing Wednesday

The parents of Camp Mystic flood victims are scheduled to testify at a Texas Senate committee hearing on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Texas State Capitol.  The parents will testify before the Texas Senate Disaster Preparedness and Flooding Select Committee on Senate Bill 1 as lawmakers consider reforms to improve safety at youth camps across the state.

A key point from SB1 requires campgrounds in a 100-year floodplain to provide emergency rooftop ladders.  It also requires the adoption of flash flood evacuation plans from camp officials.

SB1 would also:

~Establish emergency management succession lines for county judges and mayors, if unavailable.

~Create an emergency manager licensing program led by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM).

~Streamline Justice of the Peace procedures in reporting deaths.

This is the first time the families will appear publicly before the Legislature since the floods.  Families of the victims have been meeting with state leaders to advocate for reforms, including stronger evacuation protocols, improved oversight and better communication systems.