Reporting by Trish Choate, San Angelo Standard-Times
The next stop for U.S. Rep. August Plfluger’s Mystic Alerts Act is expected to be President Donald Trump’s desk for him to sign the measure to modernize emergency alerts into law.
The bipartisan bill introduced by Pfluger, R-San Angelo, will create a new way to deliver emergency alerts in areas where the means for cellular communications has been destroyed or taken offline, according to a Pfluger’s media release.
The bill’s name recalls the Camp Mystic tragedy during July 4 flooding last year in Central and West Texas that took over 130 lives. At Camp Mystic, 25 campers ages 8-10, two 18-year-old counselors and the camp’s co-executive director died as a result of the flooding.
“My legislation will ensure that Americans in rural areas receive life-saving alerts when disaster strikes and traditional networks fail,” Pfluger said in a media release.
In the wake of the July 4, 2025, flooding, Pfluger was reunited with two of his daughters, who attended the all-girls Camp Mystic in Kerr County, after they were evacuated. In addition, the congressman returned to a flood-ravaged San Angelo to reassure residents that help was available.
Once signed into law, the measure will allow cellular companies to work with satellite communications providers to deliver Wireless Emergency Alerts.
It will also direct the Federal Communications Commission to establish rules and policies to preserve WEA infrastructure’s effectiveness while integrating the satellite communications.
The process of passing the Mystic Alerts Act
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, backed the legislation in the Senate with U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Georgia. The Senate unanimously approved it on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Cornyn said many of those killed did not receive emergency alerts because cellular networks were knocked out by the storm.
“This bill will address this technology shortfall and honor the memory of those lost by ensuring Texans and all Americans can receive wireless emergency alerts on their mobile devices via satellite even when disaster strikes,” Cornyn said in a media release.
“I look forward to President Trump signing it into law soon,” he added.
The House passed the legislation April 20. Pfluger introduced it Jan. 12 alongside U.S. Reps. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston; Marc Veasey, R-Fort Worth, and Buddy Carter, a Republican from Georgia.
Carter said his family has firsthand experience with the heartbreaking Camp Mystic tragedy.
“My granddaughters were there when the floodwaters came, and they lost their nine-year-old cousin, Janie Hunt,” he said. “Nothing can bring back the precious lives we lost, but we can honor their memories by taking action to help prevent another tragedy.”
Trish Choate is the executive editor for the Abilene Reporter-News, San Angelo Standard-Times and Wichita Falls Times Record News. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@USATodayco.com. Read her recent work here.
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times.
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