HJR3 - Proposing 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.

      By: Craddick H.J.R. No. 3       A JOINT RESOLUTION   proposing 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.          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 Dementia   Prevention and Research Institute of Texas 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:                       (A)     research into the causes of, means of   prevention of, and treatment and rehabilitation for dementia and   related disorders;                       (B)     research, including translational research,   to develop therapies, protocols, medical pharmaceuticals, or   procedures for the substantial mitigation of the symptoms of   dementia and related disorders;                       (C)     facilities, equipment, and other costs   related to research on dementia and related disorders; and                       (D)     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:                       (A)     discovering the causes of dementia and   related disorders;                       (B)     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                       (C)     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)     The members of the governing body and any other   decision-making body of the Dementia Prevention and Research   Institute of Texas may serve six-year terms.           (c)     The Dementia Prevention and Research Fund is   established as a special fund in the state treasury outside the   general revenue fund to be administered by the Dementia Prevention   and Research Institute of Texas.           (c-1)     On January 1, 2026, the comptroller shall transfer $3   billion from this state's general revenue fund to the Dementia   Prevention and 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 Dementia Prevention and 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 Dementia Prevention and   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 Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of   Texas, as established by general law, may use money in the Dementia   Prevention and Research Fund only for the purpose of funding:                 (1)     grants for research on dementia and related   disorders, research facilities, and research opportunities in this   state:                       (A)     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                       (B)     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)     The Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas   may not award more than $300 million in grants authorized under this   section in a state fiscal year.           (g)     Before the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute   of Texas may award a grant authorized under this section, the grant   recipient must 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)     The reasonable expenses of managing the assets of the   Dementia Prevention and 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 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."