"This attack on DPRIT is disgusting and is a disservice to the roughly 500,000 Texans who suffer from some form of dementia, and their families who suffer along with them."
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued the following statement today:
“On this past election day, November 4, 2025, Texas voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 14 to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT) with over 68.5% of the vote. Unfortunately, three people jointly filed a lawsuit to stop the will of Texas voters, claiming voting machines were faulty.
“Surprisingly, none of the other propositions were challenged in court under this pretense. This attack on DPRIT is disgusting and is a disservice to the roughly 500,000 Texans who suffer from some form of dementia, and their families who suffer along with them.
“This year, the Texas Senate passed legislation three different times to prevent this type of lawsuit abuse. Senate Bill 1539 died in the Texas House during the regular session. After that bill died, the relevant provisions of SB 1539 were added onto SB 2878, the judicial omnibus bill. Unfortunately, that bill was vetoed by Gov. Abbott for other reasons.
“I never give up on an important bill. During the Second Called Special Session in September, I finally got the legislature to pass the bill and Gov. Abbott signed House Bill 16, which would allow constitutional amendments to take effect even if the election is challenged in court.
“Unfortunately, the Texas Constitution does not allow HB 16 to become law until December 4, 2025. Thus, this frivolous lawsuit has prevented the DPRIT constitutional amendment from taking effect, despite Proposition 14’s passage with nearly 70% of the vote!
"Texas has a unique opportunity to deliver world-class, cutting-edge Dementia care for our citizens. I urge the court to take expedient action to remedy this legal matter and allow DPRIT to become Texas law.”
“Surprisingly, none of the other propositions were challenged in court under this pretense. This attack on DPRIT is disgusting and is a disservice to the roughly 500,000 Texans who suffer from some form of dementia, and their families who suffer along with them.
“This year, the Texas Senate passed legislation three different times to prevent this type of lawsuit abuse. Senate Bill 1539 died in the Texas House during the regular session. After that bill died, the relevant provisions of SB 1539 were added onto SB 2878, the judicial omnibus bill. Unfortunately, that bill was vetoed by Gov. Abbott for other reasons.
“I never give up on an important bill. During the Second Called Special Session in September, I finally got the legislature to pass the bill and Gov. Abbott signed House Bill 16, which would allow constitutional amendments to take effect even if the election is challenged in court.
“Unfortunately, the Texas Constitution does not allow HB 16 to become law until December 4, 2025. Thus, this frivolous lawsuit has prevented the DPRIT constitutional amendment from taking effect, despite Proposition 14’s passage with nearly 70% of the vote!
"Texas has a unique opportunity to deliver world-class, cutting-edge Dementia care for our citizens. I urge the court to take expedient action to remedy this legal matter and allow DPRIT to become Texas law.”
