Texas lifts safety rule enacted after deadly flood, clearing the way for some summer camps to reopen
A state agreement lets camps use alternative broadband connections if they meet other safety rules, avoiding license penalties for the 2026 season.
- Texas youth camps can operate this summer without fiber optic internet after reaching an agreement with the Texas Department of State Health Services on Thursday, applying through March 1, 2027.
- Following the 2025 flooding at Camp Mystic that killed 27 people, state lawmakers passed the "Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act" last year, which required fiber optic broadband installation that proved impossible for rural operators.
- Nineteen camps filed suit arguing the mandate was technically infeasible; under the new agreement, DSHS will accept alternative broadband services including cellular, microwave, or satellite technology meeting the Texas Government Code definition.
- House Speaker Dustin Burrows and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick supported the flexibility on Tuesday, acknowledging that some camps struggled to comply, while operators expressed relief that the agreement keeps camp doors open for children and families across Texas.
- Safety requirements will be revisited during the 90th legislative session beginning in 2027, with State Representative Wes Virdell and other lawmakers planning bills for a permanent solution beyond this temporary agreement.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Texas lifts safety rule enacted after deadly flood, clearing the way for some summer camps to reopen
The Texas Department of State Health Services is lifting a new requirement for youth camps to install “end-to-end fiber optic facilities” in order to allow them to operate this summer, following a lawsuit from 19 camps that called the measure too challenging.
Texas halts fiber-optic internet rule, putting youth camps on track to open this summer
Following pressure from summer camp operators, lawmakers and legislative leaders, Texas is suspending a requirement that all camps install “end-to-end” fiber-optic internet infrastructure before opening this summer.
Texas comes to an agreement with camps to drop fiber optic internet requirement for 2026 summer
Multiple Texas camp directors said they reached an agreement with the state to lower a safety requirement that would have prevented many camps from opening to thousands of children this summer.
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