The Legislative Ranger
HB 154-156
11/23/2026
By: Stephen O’Toole
We’ve only just begun our journey to review every piece of legislation submitted to the Texas House and Senate for the upcoming 2025 session, yet already we’ve encountered efforts to undermine public school funding. HB152, introduced by a Democratic veteran representative, proposes "refining calculations" and granting the Education Commissioner increased authority to reallocate funds—raising serious concerns. Today, we continue our deep dive into the bills submitted by Representative Richard Peña Raymond of Laredo.
HB154 addresses gaps in Medicaid coverage for inpatient mental health facilities. It seeks to remove age restrictions and length-of-stay limitations for Medicaid reimbursement, making it easier for facilities to treat patients in need. By amending the Texas Human Resources Code, the bill ensures these changes apply to inpatient facilities with 16 or more beds that primarily provide mental health services. Currently, facilities often hesitate to admit Medicaid patients due to difficulties in securing reimbursement. Expanding Medicaid’s applicability could significantly improve access to mental health care. However, the exclusion of smaller facilities with fewer than 16 beds is a notable limitation. While this compromise may be necessary to gain legislative traction, it’s worth revisiting in the future to ensure broader access. I grade HB154 as low danger and moderate priority to pass.
HB155 tackles the accessibility of autopsy records while maintaining privacy protections. Under current law, medical examiner offices must maintain autopsy reports, including photographs and x-rays of the deceased. These records may be withheld from public information requests except under a subpoena or if the deceased was in law enforcement custody. The proposed amendment adds a third exception: allowing next of kin or legal representatives to access these photographs and x-rays. It also clarifies that utilizing any of these exceptions does not waive the overall privacy protections governing the records. This bill ensures that families can access critical documentation without opening such records to public scrutiny, striking a balance between transparency and privacy. I grade HB155 as low danger and moderate priority to pass.
HB156 directs the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to conduct a study on mitigating vulnerabilities in public drinking water supply systems. The commission would have one year, starting in September 2025, to collaborate with agencies and experts to develop a report on legislative or other actions to protect drinking water facilities from natural disasters, catastrophes, and disruptions. While ensuring access to safe drinking water is a critical issue, the bill may face political resistance. It merely asks for a study and recommendations rather than immediate action, yet it could still struggle to gain traction. Nevertheless, addressing vulnerabilities in our water systems is essential to avoid future crises. I grade HB156 as low danger and high priority to pass.
Unlike the concerning proposals we’ve seen so far, these three bills are largely aimed at public benefit. HB154 expands access to mental health care by easing Medicaid reimbursement restrictions. HB155 provides families with much-needed access to autopsy documentation while respecting privacy. HB156 proactively addresses vulnerabilities in our drinking water systems, potentially preventing future crises. It’s refreshing to see legislation focusing on solutions and improvements for Texans, even if political hurdles may stand in the way. Unfortunately, I fear this trend may not continue in the next installment of The Legislative Ranger, as upcoming bills appear to focus on Medicaid repayment and recoupment measures. Stay tuned as we continue to analyze and hold legislators accountable.
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