Two months after 25 campers and two counselors died in the historic July 4 flooding at Camp Mystic , Gov. Greg Abbott signed three new laws Sept. 5 that he said will “make youth camps safer” and ensure Texas communities are better prepared for future disasters.

The families of the Camp Mystic flooding victims looked on as Abbott signed the laws, which took effect immediately, in memory of their daughters. Some parents shed tears as Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and state lawmakers reflected on the lives of their children, who are known as the “ Heaven’s 27 .”

“[When] they dropped their daughters off at camp, ... they had no clue they would never see those daughters again,” Abbott said during the Sept. 5 bill signing ceremony at the Texas Governor’s Mansion in Austin. “They pleaded for

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