BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.J.R. 3 89R12764 MPF-F By: Huffman Finance 2/24/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT S.J.R. 3, the accompanying proposed constitutional amendment for S.B. 5, proposes a constitutional amendment providing for the establishment of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, as well as the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund. S.J.R. 3 transfers $3 billion from the state's general revenue to the Fund to support research, prevention, and treatment of dementia and related disorders. S.J.R. 3 proposes a constitutional amendment providing for the establishment of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, establishing the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund to provide money for research on and prevention and treatment of dementia and related disorders in this state, and transferring to that fund $3 billion from state general revenue. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Article III, Texas Constitution, by adding Section 68, as follows: Sec. 68. (a) Requires the legislature to establish the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (institute) to: (1) award grants to institutions of learning, advanced medical research facilities, public or private persons, and collaboratives in this state to provide money for research into the causes of, means of prevention of, and treatment and rehabilitation for dementia and related disorders; research, including translational research, to develop therapies, protocols, medical pharmaceuticals, or procedures for the substantial mitigation of the symptoms of dementia and related disorders; facilities, equipment, and other costs related to research on dementia and related disorders; and prevention programs and strategies to mitigate the detrimental health impacts of dementia and related disorders; (2) support institutions of learning and advanced medical research facilities and collaboratives in this state in all stages of discovering the causes of dementia and related disorders, developing therapies, protocols, medical pharmaceuticals, or procedures for the substantial mitigation of the symptoms of dementia and related disorders from laboratory research to clinical trials, and developing programs to address access to advanced treatment for dementia and related disorders; and (3) establish the appropriate standards and oversight bodies to ensure the proper use of funding authorized under this section, including facilities development. (b) Authorizes the members of the governing body and any other decision-making body of the institute to serve six-year terms. (c) Provides that the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund (fund) is established as a special fund in the state treasury outside the general revenue fund to be administered by the institute. (c-1) Requires the Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Texas, on January 1, 2026, to transfer $3 billion from this state's general revenue fund to the fund. Provides that the transfer made under this subsection is not an appropriation of state tax revenues for the purposes of Section 22 (Restriction on Rate of Growth of Appropriations), Article VIII (Taxation and Revenue), of this constitution. Provides that this subsection expires January 1, 2029. (d) Provides that the fund consists of certain monies. (e) Provides that the institute, as established by general law, notwithstanding any other provision of this constitution, is authorized to use money in the fund only for the purpose of funding: (1) grants for research on dementia and related disorders, research facilities, and research opportunities in this state for the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of dementia and related disorders and the mitigation of the incidence of and detrimental health impacts from dementia and related disorders, and to develop therapies, protocols, medical pharmaceuticals, or procedures for the substantial mitigation of the symptoms of dementia and related 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 institute's operation. (f) Prohibits the institute from awarding more than $300 million in grants authorized under this section in a state fiscal year. (g) Requires a grant recipient, before the institute is authorized to award a grant authorized under this section, to have available an unexpended amount of money equal to one-half of the grant amount dedicated to the research specified in the grant proposal. (h) Requires that the reasonable expenses of managing the assets of the fund be paid from the fund. SECTION 2. Requires that the proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2025. Sets forth the required language of the ballot.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.J.R. 3
89R12764 MPF-F By: Huffman
Finance
2/24/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.J.R. 3
89R12764 MPF-F
By: Huffman
Finance
2/24/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.J.R. 3, the accompanying proposed constitutional amendment for S.B. 5, proposes a constitutional amendment providing for the establishment of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, as well as the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund. S.J.R. 3 transfers $3 billion from the state's general revenue to the Fund to support research, prevention, and treatment of dementia and related disorders.
S.J.R. 3 proposes a constitutional amendment providing for the establishment of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, establishing the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund to provide money for research on and prevention and treatment of dementia and related disorders in this state, and transferring to that fund $3 billion from state general revenue.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Article III, Texas Constitution, by adding Section 68, as follows:
Sec. 68. (a) Requires the legislature to establish the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (institute) to:
(1) award grants to institutions of learning, advanced medical research facilities, public or private persons, and collaboratives in this state to provide money for research into the causes of, means of prevention of, and treatment and rehabilitation for dementia and related disorders; research, including translational research, to develop therapies, protocols, medical pharmaceuticals, or procedures for the substantial mitigation of the symptoms of dementia and related disorders; facilities, equipment, and other costs related to research on dementia and related disorders; and prevention programs and strategies to mitigate the detrimental health impacts of dementia and related disorders;
(2) support institutions of learning and advanced medical research facilities and collaboratives in this state in all stages of discovering the causes of dementia and related disorders, developing therapies, protocols, medical pharmaceuticals, or procedures for the substantial mitigation of the symptoms of dementia and related disorders from laboratory research to clinical trials, and developing programs to address access to advanced treatment for dementia and related disorders; and
(3) establish the appropriate standards and oversight bodies to ensure the proper use of funding authorized under this section, including facilities development.
(b) Authorizes the members of the governing body and any other decision-making body of the institute to serve six-year terms.
(c) Provides that the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund (fund) is established as a special fund in the state treasury outside the general revenue fund to be administered by the institute.
(c-1) Requires the Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Texas, on January 1, 2026, to transfer $3 billion from this state's general revenue fund to the fund. Provides that the transfer made under this subsection is not an appropriation of state tax revenues for the purposes of Section 22 (Restriction on Rate of Growth of Appropriations), Article VIII (Taxation and Revenue), of this constitution. Provides that this subsection expires January 1, 2029.
(d) Provides that the fund consists of certain monies.
(e) Provides that the institute, as established by general law, notwithstanding any other provision of this constitution, is authorized to use money in the fund only for the purpose of funding:
(1) grants for research on dementia and related disorders, research facilities, and research opportunities in this state for the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of dementia and related disorders and the mitigation of the incidence of and detrimental health impacts from dementia and related disorders, and to develop therapies, protocols, medical pharmaceuticals, or procedures for the substantial mitigation of the symptoms of dementia and related 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 institute's operation.
(f) Prohibits the institute from awarding more than $300 million in grants authorized under this section in a state fiscal year.
(g) Requires a grant recipient, before the institute is authorized to award a grant authorized under this section, to have available an unexpended amount of money equal to one-half of the grant amount dedicated to the research specified in the grant proposal.
(h) Requires that the reasonable expenses of managing the assets of the fund be paid from the fund.
SECTION 2. Requires that the proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2025. Sets forth the required language of the ballot.