By: Thompson of Harris H.J.R. No. 135       A JOINT RESOLUTION   proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the   establishment of the Mental Health and Brain Research Institute of   Texas and establishing the Mental Health and Brain Institute   Research Fund for the purposes of scientific research of all forms   of mental health and human brain disease 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.  MENTAL HEALTH AND BRAIN RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF   TEXAS; MENTAL HEALTH AND BRAIN INSTITUTE RESEARCH FUND. (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 and prevention,   treatment, rehabilitation, protocols, and cures for mental health   and human brain-related diseases, syndromes, disorders,   dysfunctions, injuries, developmental issues, neurological health   issues, behavioral health issues, and substance abuse disorders and   other addictions;                      (B)  research into any other issue impacting   mental health and the human brain, including an issue that directly   or indirectly impacts or is impacted by the brain or brain health,   such as the gut microbiome, nutrition, the spinal cord, or the   nervous system;                      (C)  facilities, equipment, supplies, salaries,   benefits, and other costs related to brain research;                      (D)  research, including translational research,   to develop therapies, protocols, medical pharmaceuticals, or   procedures for the cure or substantial mitigation of all types of   brain diseases and disorders; and                      (E)  prevention programs and strategies to   mitigate the incidence of detrimental health impacts on the brain;                (2)  support institutions of learning and advanced   medical research facilities and collaborations in this state in all   stages of the process of:                      (A)  discovering the causes of all types of mental   and behavioral health issues, human brain-related diseases,   syndromes, disorders, dysfunctions, injuries, developmental   issues, neurological health issues,                      (B)  developing therapies, protocols, medical   pharmaceuticals, or procedures for the cure or substantial   mitigation of brain diseases and disorders from laboratory research   to clinical trials; and                      (C)  developing programs to address access to   advanced treatment of mental health and brain diseases or   disorders; and                (3)  establish the appropriate standards and oversight   bodies to ensure the proper use of funds authorized under this   section for brain research and 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 fund in the state treasury to be administered by   the comptroller of public accounts.          (d)  On January 1, 2024, 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, 2025.          (e)  The Mental Health and Brain Institute Research Fund   consists of:                (1)  money transferred to the fund under this article;                (2)  money appropriated, credited, or transferred to   the fund by the legislature;                (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 entered into by the Mental Health and   Brain Institute of Texas; and                (5)  investment earnings and interest earned on amounts   credited to the fund.          (f)  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 in this state for mental health and brain   research, research facilities, and research opportunities in this   state to develop therapies, protocols, medical pharmaceuticals, or   procedures for the cure, substantial mitigation, or prevention of   brain diseases or disorders;                (2)  grants for the prevention of mental and behavioral   health issues, substance abuse disorders and other addictions, and   brain disease and disorder prevention to mitigate the incidence of   all types of brain diseases or disorders in humans;                (3)  the purchase, construction, or renovation,   subject to approval by the institute, of facilities by or on behalf   of a state agency or grant recipient; and                (4)  the operation of the institute.          (g)  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 the amount of   the grant dedicated to the research that is the subject of the grant   request.          SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be   submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2023.     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 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 general revenue to that fund."