SB5

SB5 sets out a state grant-making institute for research and prevention involving dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. Its effective status carries an election-contest qualification. The signed act says it takes effect December 1, 2025 only if voters approve the related constitutional amendment, SJR3/Proposition 14. The official current statute record must be read with its election-contest note, not treated as proof that the institute is operating.

As checked November 1, 2026, the Fifteenth Court of Appeals docket in Huggins and Silvester v. Nelson and other officials lists submission on briefs September 23, 2026, with no later disposition shown. The governor’s November 19, 2025 certification proclamation lists sixteen adopted propositions but omits Proposition 14. This briefing therefore describes SB5’s enacted framework; it does not claim the contest is resolved, grants are available, appointments occurred, or the $3 billion has been transferred.

The institute could award grants to Texas institutions, research facilities, public or private persons and collaborations for research, treatment development, rehabilitation, prevention, equipment and research facilities. It would be governed by nine members—three each appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor and House speaker—with scientific/public-health expertise requirements and conflict restrictions. A chief executive officer, chief compliance officer, scientific peer-review committee and program integration committee would handle administration and review. Higher-education and other advisory committees would advise rather than replace those decision-makers. The institute is subject to Sunset review and would expire September 1, 2035 unless continued.

Grant recommendations require scientific scoring and prioritization, compliance review and approval by two-thirds of oversight members present and voting. Annual grant awards are capped at $300 million; a multiyear project’s full award counts in its approval year even though disbursements occur over time. Recipients generally must dedicate matching resources equal to half the grant, with certification before disbursement. The rules allow specified funding sources and an indirect-cost credit for eligible institutions, but exclude ordinary in-kind costs, volunteer services and preexisting real estate. This is not necessarily a new cash contribution solely from private donors.

Research grants have a 5% indirect-cost ceiling. Across annual grant awards, no more than 5% may be used that year for buying or constructing/renovating facilities, and no more than 10% for prevention projects. Written contracts must specify deliverables, spending periods and remedies for misuse or breach. They must protect the state’s interest in certain privately held capital improvements and provide intellectual-property terms allowing state royalties or other returns, balanced against research incentives. The law does not guarantee profitable discoveries or cures.

Oversight includes annual independent financial audits, comptroller review, public reports, 15-year grant-record retention, inspections, conflict disclosure and recusal, and a confidential fraud-reporting process. Exceptional conflict waivers require public reporting and a vote; conflicts are not simply ignored. Applicant names, requested amounts and research categories are public, while specified commercially valuable research and compliance-investigation information are protected. SB5 also adds the institute to the higher-education research-contract disclosure exception and state ethics-board listing. Sources: enrolled SB5 and official history.