89R242 MPF-F
By: Thompson H.J.R. No. 24
A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the
establishment of the Mental Health and Brain Research Institute of
Texas and the Mental Health and Brain Institute Research Fund to
provide funding for scientific research of mental health issues and
human brain diseases and disorders.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by
adding Section 68 to read as follows:
Sec. 68. (a) The legislature shall establish the Mental
Health and Brain Research Institute of Texas to:
(1) award grants to institutions of learning, advanced
medical research facilities, public or private persons, and
collaborations in this state to provide funds for:
(A) research into the causes of, the means of
prevention of, the treatment and rehabilitation of, and cures for:
(i) mental health issues and human
brain-related diseases, syndromes, disorders, dysfunctions, and
injuries;
(ii) developmental issues;
(iii) neurological health issues;
(iv) behavioral health issues; and
(v) substance use disorders and other
addictions;
(B) research into other issues affecting mental
health and the human brain, including issues that directly or
indirectly affect or are affected by mental health or the brain or
brain health, such as the gut microbiome, nutrition, the spinal
cord, or the nervous system;
(C) research, including translational research,
to develop therapies, protocols, medical pharmaceuticals, or
procedures for the cure or substantial mitigation of all types of
human brain-related diseases and disorders;
(D) facilities, equipment, supplies, salaries,
benefits, and other costs related to the research described by this
section; and
(E) prevention programs and strategies to
mitigate the incidence of detrimental health impacts on the brain;
(2) support institutions of learning, advanced
medical research facilities, public and private persons, and
collaborations in this state in all stages of the process of:
(A) discovering the causes of all types of:
(i) mental and behavioral health issues;
(ii) human brain-related diseases,
syndromes, disorders, dysfunctions, and injuries;
(iii) developmental issues; and
(iv) neurological health issues;
(B) developing therapies, protocols, medical
pharmaceuticals, or procedures for the cure or substantial
mitigation of mental health issues and brain-related diseases and
disorders from laboratory research to clinical trials; and
(C) developing programs to address access to
advanced treatment of mental health issues and brain-related
diseases or disorders; and
(3) establish appropriate standards and oversight
bodies to ensure the proper use of funding authorized under this
section for brain research, including facilities development.
(b) The members of the governing body and any other
decision-making body of the Mental Health and Brain Research
Institute of Texas may serve six-year terms.
(c) The Mental Health and Brain Institute Research Fund is
established as a special fund in the state treasury outside the
general revenue fund to be administered by the Mental Health and
Brain Research Institute of Texas.
(c-1) On January 1, 2026, the comptroller shall transfer $3
billion from the general revenue fund to the Mental Health and Brain
Institute Research Fund. The transfer made under this subsection
is not an appropriation of state tax revenues for the purposes of
Section 22, Article VIII, of this constitution. This subsection
expires January 1, 2029.
(d) The Mental Health and Brain Institute Research Fund
consists of:
(1) money transferred to the fund under this section;
(2) money the legislature appropriates, credits, or
transfers to the fund;
(3) gifts and grants, including grants from the
federal government, and other donations received for the fund;
(4) patent, royalty, and license fees and other income
received under a contract executed by the Mental Health and Brain
Research Institute of Texas; and
(5) investment earnings and interest earned on amounts
credited to the fund.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
constitution, the Mental Health and Brain Research Institute of
Texas, as established by general law, may use money in the Mental
Health and Brain Institute Research Fund only for the purpose of
funding:
(1) grants for mental health and human brain research,
research facilities, and research opportunities in this state:
(A) for the prevention, treatment, and
rehabilitation of mental and behavioral health issues and substance
use disorders and other addictions, and the mitigation of the
incidence of detrimental health impacts of the issues, disorders,
and addictions on mental health or the brain; and
(B) to develop therapies, protocols, medical
pharmaceuticals, or procedures for the cure or substantial
mitigation of brain-related diseases or disorders;
(2) the purchase, construction, or renovation,
subject to the institute's approval, of facilities by or on behalf
of a state agency or grant recipient; and
(3) the operation of the institute.
(f) Before the Mental Health and Brain Research Institute of
Texas may award a grant under this section, the recipient of the
grant must have an amount of funds equal to one-half of the grant
amount dedicated to the research specified in the grant request.
(g) The reasonable expenses of managing the assets of the
Mental Health and Brain Institute Research Fund shall be paid from
the fund.
SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2025.
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment requiring the creation
of the Mental Health and Brain Research Institute of Texas,
establishing the Mental Health and Brain Institute Research Fund to
provide funding for mental health and brain research in this state,
and transferring state general revenue to that fund."