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HB 248

Relating to campground emergency safety certification requirements; providing a civil penalty.

89th Legislature, 1st Called Session (2025) Introduced by Hillary Hickland

Texas bill requiring campgrounds to obtain emergency safety certifications with civil penalties for non-compliance to improve visitor safety during emergencies.

Filed
#civilremedies&liabilities(i0065) #disasterpreparedness&relief(i0211) #emergencymanagement #texasdivisionof(vp6fw) #recreational&culturalfacilities(s0286) #safety(i0740)
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Bill Summary · HB 248

Legislative bill overview

HB 248 establishes emergency safety certification requirements for campgrounds in Texas and creates civil penalties for non-compliance. The bill aims to standardize safety protocols across campground operations, likely addressing emergency preparedness, evacuation procedures, or staff training in response to incidents at recreational facilities.

Why is this important

Campgrounds serve thousands of Texas visitors annually, and emergency preparedness directly affects public safety during natural disasters, fires, or medical emergencies. Standardized certification requirements could reduce liability for operators while protecting vulnerable populations like families and elderly visitors who may be unfamiliar with facility layouts during emergencies.

Potential points of contention

  • Compliance costs: Small, independent campground operators may face significant expenses implementing new safety protocols and obtaining certifications, potentially driving some out of business
  • Certification standards definition: The bill's lack of detail raises questions about who sets standards, how rigorous they are, and whether they align with industry practices or create new burdens
  • Civil penalty structure: Unclear what penalty amounts would be, whether they're proportionate to violations, and whether operators get reasonable timelines to achieve compliance before facing fines

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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