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A proposal to create a $3 billion state-backed dementia research agency — the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT) — has cleared a major hurdle in the Texas Legislature, passing the House of Representatives in a strong bipartisan vote Wednesday afternoon. But the measure remains incomplete, pending approval of a constitutional amendment still awaiting action.
Backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and modeled after the successful Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), DPRIT aims to establish Texas as a national leader in dementia research by attracting top scientists and companies and funding independent studies on Alzheimer’s and related diseases.
The bill, Senate Bill 5, passed the House 127–21, with all opposing votes coming from Republican lawmakers. The bill had already sailed through the Senate earlier this session.
The legislation proposes allocating $3 billion — roughly 12.6 percent of the state’s $23.8 billion surplus — to the new institute. The money would be disbursed over several years to support medical research, scientific grants, and clinical trials aimed at better understanding, preventing, and potentially curing dementia.
Despite broad support, some lawmakers voiced concerns about the size of the funding and the role of government in scientific research.
Skepticism Over Scope and Spending
Rep. Brian Harrison (R-Midlothian) led the opposition in the House, calling the proposal a “well-intentioned overreach.” He compared DPRIT to a state-level version of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which former President Donald Trump has vowed to reduce at the federal level.
“I would love to find a cure for dementia. Every Texan would love to find a cure for dementia,” Harrison said on the floor. “But I do not know what part of ‘stop growing government and give people back their money’ this body clearly does not understand.”
He argued that the $3 billion could be better spent by individuals caring for loved ones or donating to charities of their choice — rather than being funneled into what he sees as a potentially bloated government agency.
“This is the exact opposite of the Trump agenda,” Harrison added, warning of mission creep and government inefficiency.
Support for Independent Research
Rep. Tom Oliverson (R-Cypress), a physician, responded to concerns from Harrison and others, stressing the need for ethical, unbiased research in the face of increasing commercial influence.
“You know that I have deep concerns about the status of medical research in this country,” Oliverson said. “The only solution to that problem is to provide an independent non-conflicted source of funding.”
He argued that pharmaceutical companies, which often fund their own studies, have financial incentives to skew results. By contrast, a state-run entity like DPRIT could offer more trustworthy, unbiased research to benefit public health.
Oliverson acknowledged the ideological discomfort some conservatives may have with growing the size of government, but said the unique nature of the problem — a projected explosion in dementia cases — warranted a thoughtful and proactive response.
The Next Step: Constitutional Amendment
Although SB 5 itself passed, its accompanying Senate Joint Resolution — needed to formally enshrine DPRIT into Texas law and authorize the funding mechanism — was delayed. Rep. Tom Craddick (R-Midland) moved to postpone the resolution’s vote until April 28, citing ongoing negotiations and timing considerations.
The delay appears to reflect broader tensions in the House, where Democrats have used their leverage — particularly since the contentious school choice vote — to stall several proposed constitutional amendments. Republicans currently lack the two-thirds majority required to unilaterally pass such changes.
Craddick reportedly had enough commitments to pass the amendment but opted for a delay to avoid unnecessary floor drama.
If passed by the House, the constitutional amendment would then go to voters in November for final approval.
A Long-Term Investment
Supporters of DPRIT argue that the initiative is a forward-looking investment. With Texas’s aging population and dementia diagnoses on the rise, the need for robust and unbiased research is pressing. If successful, the institute could help pave the way for breakthroughs — not just for Texans, but nationwide.
“This is about making Texas a leader in solving one of the most devastating medical challenges of our time,” one House aide noted. “It’s a bet on science, and it’s a bet on our future.”
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