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."