WASHINGTON — A petition for stricter hot air balloon regulations is getting some attention in the U.S. Senate.
Patricia Morgan created the petition after her daughter and granddaughter were killed in Lockhart in July of 2016, when the balloon they were riding in hit power lines and crashed.
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It was later found the balloon's pilot was not allowed to drive a vehicle because of DWI convictions, but the Federal Aviation Administration still allowed him to keep his pilot's certificate.
Pictured, from left, Paige Babson and Lorilee Babson, of San Antonio, were 2 of the 16 victims of the Lockhart balloon crash.
Although Morgan's petition didn't get enough signatures to get the attention of Congress, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, did bring it to a Senate Committee.
Last week, the Senate Commerce Committee approved an FAA reauthorization.
Sen. Cruz made sure that the Commercial Balloon Pilot Safety Act of 2017 was included in the base text of the bill.
Morgan hopes the balloon pilot language stays in the bill as the FAA reauthorization is considered on the Senate floor.
To view or sign the petition, visit here.