Texas has become the first state in the U.S. to adopt NFPA 1194 as a statewide building and safety standard for RV parks and campgrounds. Governor Greg Abbott signed the measure into law on Friday as part of Senate Bill 1, known as the “Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act.”
The legislation was designed to improve disaster preparedness and was named in memory of the 27 children who died in flooding at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas.
“Governor Greg Abbott signed NFPA 1194 into law Friday morning as part of legislation aimed at improving flood and other disaster preparedness in Texas,” said Brian Schaeffer, executive director and CEO of the Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO).
The bill introduces several requirements for youth camps and private campgrounds.
“The bill requires youth camps and campgrounds to maintain real-time weather alert systems, train staff on evacuation routes, and develop emergency preparedness plans,” Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick said in a statement.
“Camps must also be transparent with families about potential risks, ensure every staff member is trained in emergency procedures, and prohibit cabins, used as sleeping quarters, from being located in dangerous river floodplains.”
”In addition, SB 1 requires camps to have the ability to notify and communicate with campers and staff during an emergency, and mandates that emergency plans be shared with local emergency management coordinators.”
According to Schaeffer, TACO played a role in incorporating NFPA 1194 into the legislation because it already included many of the safety provisions sought by lawmakers.
He added that the association is currently creating emergency plan templates that can be customized by campground operators.
“We plan to host a webinar in the coming weeks to walk our members through our emergency plan template,” Schaeffer said.
“We’re going to make it as easy as possible for RV parks and campgrounds to create their own evacuation plans and procedures that reflect the NFPA 1194 building and safety standards that are now part of Texas law.”
The push for enhanced campground safety standards gained traction after severe flooding on July 4, which killed at least 135 people in Texas, primarily in Kerr County.
Among the victims were the 27 children at Camp Mystic. Representative Drew Darby introduced House Bill 19 shortly after the event, focusing on camp safety in his rural district.
TACO had previously lobbied for NFPA 1194 adoption. In the last legislative session, the association worked with Representative Ryan Guillen to advance HB 1286, which passed the House but stalled in the Senate.
More recently, Senator Pete Flores filed SB 395 to address the code. The floods, however, shifted the political momentum, with TACO’s legislative team, including Ron Hinkle and Randall Dally of Rayburn RV Hideout, helping guide testimony through committees.
For campground and RV park operators, Texas’s adoption of NFPA 1194 establishes a uniform statewide safety code.
Business owners will need to align their facilities with the standard, particularly in areas involving site planning, utility connections, and emergency response procedures.
For many operators, access to TACO’s resources and templates may help streamline compliance while also enhancing guest safety and operational resilience during severe weather events.
With Abbott’s signing of SB 1, Texas has formally set a precedent that may shape how other states approach safety regulations for outdoor hospitality facilities.
Image by Texas Association of Campground Owners