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Texas Proposition 14 (2025): S.J.R. 3

Texas constitutional amendment · voted on 2025-11-04 · Result: Passed

texasconstitutional-amendment

What does this mean?

Official ballot language

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, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders in this state, and transferring to that fund $3 billion from state general revenue.

Plain summary

S.J.R. 3, 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, proposes adding Section 68 to Article III, Texas Constitution, to require the legislature to establish the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to provide grants and assistance to support research, prevention, and treatment for dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders. The amendment also requires the creation of the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund and the transfer of $3 billion from the state's general revenue to the fund to support the institute and its activities. The 89th Legislature enacted S.B. 5, Regular Session, 2025, contingent on voter approval of the constitutional amendment, to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and provide for its governance and operation. Also contingent on voter approval of the constitutional amendment, the 2025 General Appropriations Act directs the transfer of $3 billion to the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund and appropriates $300 million from that fund in each year of the 2026-2027 biennium to the institute to administer the provisions of S.B. 5.

Texas Legislative Council, Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments (Aug 2025), p. 87, quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “For” vote

Adds this amendment to the Texas Constitution: 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, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders in this state, and transferring to that fund $3 billion from state general revenue.

A “Against” vote

The Texas Constitution is not changed by this proposition; current provisions stay as they are.

Ballot language as certified (Texas Legislative Council analysis). A constitutional amendment takes effect only if a majority of voters approve it.

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

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, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders in this state, and transferring to that fund $3 billion from state general revenue.

Source: Texas Legislative Council, Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments (Aug 2025), p. 87

AI explanation – may be wrong, check the official text

What This Measure Would Do

This measure would make a change to the Texas Constitution. If it passes, the government would have to create an institute called the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. This institute would help with research, prevention, and treatment for certain diseases like dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders. The government would also set up a special fund called the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund, which would get $3 billion from the state's general revenue.

What a 'For' Vote Means

If you vote "For" this measure, it means that the Texas Constitution will be changed to require the creation of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. This institute would help with research, prevention, and treatment for certain diseases. The government would also set up a special fund and transfer $3 billion from state general revenue to support the institute.

What a 'Against' Vote Means

If you vote "Against" this measure, it means that the Texas Constitution will not be changed. The current laws and provisions about these diseases will stay the same.

Written by a computer model (llama3.1:8b, run on our own server) on Tue Nov 3 from the official text and nonpartisan summary only. It is not a source and takes no side. If it differs from the official text, the official text is right.

The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

Creating the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT) would allow for a major investment in research focused on the prevention and treatment of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other degenerative neurological disorders, improving the health and quality of life of millions of Texans and benefiting the state's economy.

Source: Texas Legislative Council, Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments (Aug 2025), p. 87

The impact of dementia and related diseases is growing due to a rapidly aging population and increased life expectancy, and the need for increased investment in research, prevention, and treatment is urgent.

Source: Texas Legislative Council, Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments (Aug 2025), p. 87

Dementia is a leading cause of death in the United States, while Texas ranks high among other states in Alzheimer's cases and deaths. Lack of neurological medical care is especially acute in some regions of Texas, impacting the ability of individuals to receive critical care.

Source: Texas Legislative Council, Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments (Aug 2025), p. 87

The proposed amendment would accelerate innovation in dementia research by providing grants through DPRIT, which would be modeled in certain respects after the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), the state's institute for funding cancer research. CPRIT has successfully attracted excellent cancer researchers and doctors to Texas and provided a significant economic return on the state's investment.

Source: Texas Legislative Council, Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments (Aug 2025), p. 87

DPRIT would help to attract top research talent to Texas, create high-quality jobs, and facilitate collaboration among medical and scientific experts. Additionally, by advancing efforts to mitigate the causes and effects of dementia, DPRIT could help relieve caregiving costs in Texas, which can burden families for many years.

Source: Texas Legislative Council, Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments (Aug 2025), p. 87

The state's business-friendly regulatory environment provides advantages that ideally position the state to take on the challenge of combating dementia and to become a major center of biomedical research.

Source: Texas Legislative Council, Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments (Aug 2025), p. 87

The state's current budget surplus presents a unique opportunity to provide funding for this research and improve the lives of millions in Texas and beyond.

Source: Texas Legislative Council, Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments (Aug 2025), p. 87

DPRIT could facilitate types of research that might not be pursued by private entities alone because they are not especially profitable, such as projects focused on prevention.

Source: Texas Legislative Council, Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments (Aug 2025), p. 87

Arguments against (opponents)

The proposed amendment would create an open-ended, long- term financial risk for taxpayers outside the proper scope of government, and there are other appropriate priorities for public funds.

Source: Texas Legislative Council, Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments (Aug 2025), p. 87

Private industry, nonprofits, and universities are capable of addressing dementia research and treatment without government involvement in research.

Source: Texas Legislative Council, Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments (Aug 2025), p. 87

The proposed amendment would create a new state bureaucracy without sufficient accountability measures. Modeled after CPRIT, which has had problems with a lack of accountability in the use of public money, DPRIT could be even more problematic because dementia research is broader and more ambiguous in scope than cancer research and because DPRIT would involve more bureaucratic layers and political appointees, which could increase inefficiency and potential for favoritism in matters such as awarding grants or hiring staff.

Source: Texas Legislative Council, Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments (Aug 2025), p. 87

Summary of comments made in committee, floor debate, or the House Research Organization analysis, as published by the Texas Legislative Council. Shown in the order published, not ranked by us.

Alternatives

Needs sources: no published alternatives yet (for example a different bill, a law instead of an amendment, or keeping current law). We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Result

For2,016,281
Against924,001
Percent for68.57%

Source: Texas Secretary of State results as reported by Texas Policy Research (confirm at the SOS results site) · official canvass: Texas SOS results

Officials and money

Authors: Huffman · Coauthors: Alvarado, Birdwell, Blanco, Hinojosa, Juan "Chuy", Johnson, Menéndez, Miles, Paxton, West, Zaffirini · Sponsors in the other chamber: Craddick, Bonnen, Hunter, Thompson, Curry

Texas legislators are not yet linked to official pages. Bill history and votes on Texas Legislature Online.

Money: Legislative Budget Board fiscal note No linked contracts or vendors yet.

Words on this page, explained (5)
Appropriation
Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Constitutional amendment
A change to a constitution. In Texas the Legislature proposes an amendment with a joint resolution passed by two-thirds of the members of each chamber. It takes effect only if a majority of the people voting on it approve it. In Florida, an amendment needs at least 60% of the votes cast on it to pass.
Joint resolution
In Texas, the type of measure the Legislature uses to propose a constitutional amendment (marked HJR or SJR). The governor does not sign or veto it; the voters decide. In Congress a joint resolution can also be used like a bill. In Florida, a joint resolution passed by three-fifths of the members of each chamber puts a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
Legislature
The elected body that makes laws. In Texas it has a House of Representatives (150 members) and a Senate (31 members). In Florida it has a House of Representatives (120 members) and a Senate (40 members).
Proposition
The name for a measure on a Texas ballot, numbered Proposition 1, 2, and so on. A "For" vote supports the measure; an "Against" vote opposes it.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record st-tx-2025-prop-14 · catalog st-tx-sos-ballot-measures-2025 · updated 2026-11-02 by builder v002