The Legislative Ranger
HB 157-159
11/23/2026
By: Stephen O’Toole
Our time with Representative Richard Peña Raymond [D–Laredo] is nearing its end, but fear not, I have one final trio of bills to dissect. Overall, we’ve seen a relatively benign collection of proposals from Rep. Raymond, with the notable exception of HB152, which seeks to reduce public school funding and grant the Education Commissioner greater latitude in reallocating the remaining funds. In my last article, I reviewed three bills that each sought to improve the lives of Texans in meaningful ways. Stick with me as we close out the last of Rep. Raymond’s bills filed at the top of the docket.
HB157 is a bill to amend the Texas Health and Safety Code by adding provisions requiring an annual report on public drinking water supply systems. This bill acts as a companion to HB156, which called for an initial report on mitigating vulnerabilities in these systems. HB157 mandates the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to submit an annual summary of any noteworthy events affecting drinking water, their impacts, challenges faced, and vulnerabilities or failures exposed during the previous year. Additionally, it requires TCEQ to project potential changes to water systems for the coming year, including wear and tear, and propose mitigation strategies to address anticipated issues. The bill also authorizes TCEQ to collaborate with other agencies or individuals as necessary. I rate this bill as low danger and high priority to pass, as ensuring the safety and reliability of our drinking water is vital for public health.
HB158 is the first bill I can genuinely say excites me. This bill lays the groundwork for the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to prepare a report assessing the feasibility of utilizing unused or underused government land to provide housing for veterans and low-income families. While the bill does not commit the government to act on the findings, it directs the department to compile a comprehensive report, including the availability of land and potential financing options for residential housing development. The bill further details that the department may collaborate with local housing authorities, affordable housing developers, and other relevant organizations. While this is just a report, I expect significant pushback from House Republicans, though I sincerely hope to be proven wrong. I give this bill a rating of low danger and top priority to pass, as it represents a promising step toward addressing critical housing challenges for vulnerable Texans at a relatively low cost.
HB159 is our final bill from Rep. Raymond’s pre-filed docket. Initially, I was concerned, given its title referencing Medicaid payment recoupment, but thankfully, this bill is less impactful on individuals and primarily focuses on providers. It seeks to grant Medicaid providers due process protections during overpayment recoupment proceedings. Specifically, the bill requires written notice for providers using electronic visit verification and establishes a minimum 60-day window for all providers to audit and address overpayment claims, regardless of whether they use electronic visit verification. Furthermore, the bill codifies protections preventing providers from being held accountable for errors they did not cause and prohibits auditors from revisiting the medical necessity of already-approved claims. While Medicaid’s payment process lies outside my area of expertise, this bill appears to offer reasonable safeguards for providers. I rate it as low danger and low priority to pass.
One Democratic representative, nine pre-filed bills, and only one—HB152—emerges as a true danger to the public. Rep. Raymond has done a commendable job of submitting proposals that align with the policy priorities of his constituents. However, we must remain vigilant in opposing HB152 and its two Republican companion bills, as they threaten to undermine public education funding. Primary education is fundamental to the future of our country and must remain accessible to all. Next, we turn to HB160 through HB162, authored by representatives from both parties. A quick glance at the titles already has me eager to dig in.
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