HJR24 - 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.

  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."