TX
Texas House Bill HJR24

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HJR24

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Sent toSOS
 
Proposed Const. Amend.
 

Caption

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.

Impact

The amendment, if passed, will lead to the creation of a specialized institute tasked with administering grants to various research entities, including institutions of higher learning and medical research facilities. This will not only enhance the research capabilities within Texas but also increase cooperation among public and private organizations to address complex interrelated health issues. Financial resources from the state's general revenue—specifically a $3 billion transfer scheduled for January 1, 2026—will kickstart this initiative, setting a significant precedent for state-funded health research.

Summary

HJR24 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish the Mental Health and Brain Research Institute of Texas together with a dedicated research fund. The intent of this legislation is to provide substantial funding for scientific research focused on various mental health issues, human brain-related diseases, and disorders. It aims to facilitate the discovery and development of effective treatments and prevention strategies against these health challenges, which include substance use disorders, neurological issues, and behavioral health disorders among others.

Contention

Concerns surrounding HJR24 may arise regarding the allocation of funds and potential oversight of the Mental Health and Brain Research Institute. Stakeholders may question the expeditious use of the funds, ensuring they are directed towards impactful research initiatives rather than administrative overhead. Additionally, the necessity of long-term commitments and continuous funding beyond the initial transfer might be debated, particularly as this institute could redefine funding priorities in mental health research within Texas.

Companion Bills

TX HB185

Enabled by Relating to the creation of the Mental Health and Brain Research Institute of Texas.

Previously Filed As

TX HJR135

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the establishment of the Mental Health and Brain Research Institute of Texas and establishing the Mental Health and Brain Institute Research Fund for the purposes of scientific research of all forms of mental health and human brain disease and disorders.

TX HB15

Relating to the creation of the Mental Health and Brain Research Institute of Texas.

TX HB4561

Relating to the establishment of the Alternative Mental Health Therapy Research Consortium and to certain plans, programs, and studies related to the provision of those alternative mental health therapies.

TX HB3988

Relating to the creation of the Texas Advanced Research Institute.

TX SB1974

Relating to the creation of the Texas Advanced Research Institute.

TX HB2059

Relating to mental health first aid training provided by local mental health authorities and local behavioral health authorities.

TX SJR49

Proposing a constitutional amendment creating a university research fund to support emerging research universities in The University of Texas System or The Texas A&M University System and disqualifying all component institutions of those university systems from receiving money from the national research university fund.

TX SJR5

Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.

TX HJR3

Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.

TX HB4154

Relating to the establishment of the Texas Mental Health Care Enterprise Fund and the granting of license reciprocity to certain mental health professionals.

Similar Bills

CA SB829

California Institute for Scientific Research: CalRx Initiative: vaccines.

CA SB934

California Childhood Cancer Research Fund Act.

CA AB1411

Health care facilities: rehabilitation innovation centers.

NJ S3191

Permits certain transportation research contracts to be awarded to private research institutions of higher education and other entities.

CA SB453

California State University Agricultural Research Institute grant program: Agricultural Biosecurity Fund.

TX HB1000

Relating to state support for general academic teaching institutions in this state.

TX HB1302

Relating to the creation of the Texas Mental Health Research Institute; authorizing the issuance of bonds.

TX HB51

Relating to measures to enhance and maintain the quality of state universities, including funding and incentives to support emerging public research universities, to the abolition of the higher education fund, to the institutional groupings under the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's accountability system, to the independent status of Lamar Institute of Technology, to research conducted by public universities and other state entities, and to the authorization of revenue bonds for certain institutions of higher education.