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."