In the wake of catastrophic flooding that has devastated Texas Hill Country and left more than 100 people dead and over 160 unaccounted for, state leaders are taking the first legislative steps toward a comprehensive policy response. On Thursday, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) announced the formation of two Select Committees on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding—one in the Senate and one in the House.
The move comes as Kerr County and surrounding regions continue recovery efforts following what could become one of the deadliest natural disasters in Texas history.
“The creation of both the House and Senate’s Select Committees on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding is just the beginning of the Legislature looking at every aspect of this tragic event,” Patrick said in a joint statement. “Right now, we must focus on the recovery of those still missing, then rebuilding communities in flooded areas.”
Speaker Burrows echoed the urgency of the moment:
“Texans deserve swift, united action. I’m grateful to Lieutenant Governor Patrick and the Senate for partnering with the House in this effort, ensuring both chambers move in lockstep from day one of the special session.”
Special Session Begins July 21
The announcement follows Governor Greg Abbott’s recent proclamation calling a 30-day special legislative session, set to begin July 21. The select committees, each composed of nine members from their respective chambers, are scheduled to convene for the first time on July 23 at the Texas Capitol. A second meeting will be held the following week in Kerrville, conditions permitting.
Although committee appointments have not yet been announced, lawmakers are expected to move quickly given the scale of the tragedy and the limited window of the special session.
Key Focus Areas
The joint release outlined four major policy areas the committees will evaluate:
Flood Warning Systems – including the possibility of sirens and increased river gauge coverage, particularly in flood-prone areas like Kerr County.
Flood Emergency Communications – improving the coordination of alerts, evacuation orders, and real-time data sharing.
Relief Funding for Hill Country Floods – addressing short-term aid for affected families and long-term rebuilding funds.
Natural Disaster Preparation & Recovery – creating a broader, statewide blueprint for readiness and response to future disasters.
A Historic Loss
As of Thursday, 96 deaths have been confirmed in Kerr County alone. Across the state, the number of confirmed fatalities has surpassed 100, with 161 individuals still unaccounted for. Among the missing are six campers from Camp Mystic, intensifying concern and heartbreak statewide.
Emergency responders, search and rescue teams, and volunteers remain on the ground in impacted areas, but damage assessments are ongoing, and the full scope of the tragedy may not be known for weeks.
Kerr County Judge Laura Anderson described the situation as “a community in mourning, in shock, and in desperate need of coordinated help.”
State Response Still Taking Shape
While both Patrick and Burrows have pledged legislative action, the specifics remain undefined. Among the early ideas is state funding for a dedicated flood warning system in Kerr County—something local officials have called for in previous years but lacked resources to implement.
This is the first time since 2013 that both chambers have formed a joint select committee of this nature without a direct mandate from the governor. The last such instance was under then-Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio), who jointly convened a committee to examine ethics laws and the state’s Economic Stabilization Fund.
A Long Road Ahead
In his statement, Speaker Burrows stressed that the work ahead must balance urgency with long-term planning:
“With only 30 days to act, we must make every moment count. This effort is about moving quickly to help Texans recover and laying the foundation to better protect our communities — and our children — from future disasters.”
