TITLE: Requesting the lieutenant governor and speaker to create a joint interim committee to study the practicality of establishing a brain research institute of Texas.

SUMMARY: Requesting the lieutenant governor and speaker to create a joint interim committee to study the practicality of establishing a brain research institute of Texas.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Setting aside state funds for research into the causes of and cures for degenerative and debilitating brain and nervous conditions would make a difference in the lives of countless Texans; and WHEREAS, More than one million adults in the United States are diagnosed annually with Alzheimer's disease or another degenerative and debilitating brain and nervous condition, and many of those affected live in Texas; and WHEREAS, Texas ranks second in the nation in the number of deaths from Alzheimer's disease and fourth in the nation in the number of Alzheimer's cases; 380,000 Texans over age 65 have Alzheimer's disease, according to the Texas Council on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, which advises the Department of State Health Services on needed action for the benefit of Texans with Alzheimer's disease; and WHEREAS, The Texas Council on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders believes that research into the causes of and cures for Alzheimer's disease is imperative because the disease will become more prevalent as the population ages, exacting huge human and economic burdens on citizens and resources; the council notes in its 2018 report that a new person develops Alzheimer's disease every 65 seconds and that this rate will increase to one new case every 33 seconds by 2050; and WHEREAS, Other degenerative and debilitating brain and nervous conditions will also become more prevalent as the population in Texas ages; for example, Parkinson's disease, which affects 52,500 people in the state, will affect nearly one million people in the U.S. by 2020 and 1.2 million people by 2030; and WHEREAS, A brain research institute of Texas could use state bond proceeds or other revenues to fund research into the causes of and cures for degenerative and debilitating brain and nervous conditions, and a study would help to determine the practicality of establishing such an institute; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby request the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of representatives to create a joint interim committee to study the establishment of a brain research institute of Texas; and, be it further RESOLVED, That the committee submit a full report, including findings and recommendations, to the 87th Texas Legislature before it convenes in January 2021; and, be it further RESOLVED, That the committee's proceedings and operations be governed by such general rules and policies for interim committees as the 86th Texas Legislature may adopt.