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SF3041 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Regional transportation sales and use tax proceeds allocation modification provision and Washington Avenue Pedestrian Bridge suicide prevention barriers funding provision

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to redistribute certain transportation-related funds to support the construction of suicide prevention barriers on the Washington Avenue Pedestrian Bridge in Minnesota.

Main Provisions

  • The bill mandates that $15 million from a regional transportation sales and use tax, which is currently allocated to the Metropolitan Council for active transportation projects, be redirected as a grant to the University of Minnesota.
  • The funds are designated for the design and construction of new suicide deterrent barriers on the Washington Avenue Pedestrian Bridge located on the Twin Cities campus.
  • The University of Minnesota's Board of Regents is tasked with overseeing the project. They are required to consult with people affected by suicides at the bridge, as well as suicide prevention organizations and experts, to guide the design process.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • This reallocation of funds from the general active transportation budget to a specific suicide prevention project represents a change in how the Metropolitan Council can utilize tax revenues collected under Minnesota Statutes.
  • The bill overrides a specific clause of Minnesota Statutes section 473.4465 that would otherwise dictate fund use.

Relevant Terms

suicide prevention, Washington Avenue Pedestrian Bridge, regional transportation sales and use tax, Metropolitan Council, University of Minnesota, active transportation, fiscal year 2026, pedestrian barriers

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 26, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
March 26, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toTransportation

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Allocation of transportation tax proceeds for specific infrastructure improvements."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "The bill refers to the allocation of proceeds from a regional transportation sales and use tax under section 297A.9915.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "297A.9915",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Specific grant for the design and construction of suicide prevention barriers."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill discusses allocations for active transportation as authorized by Minnesota Statutes section 473.4465, subdivision 2.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "473.4465",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requirement for consultation with suicide prevention organizations in designing the infrastructure."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Grant funding to be used in line with Minnesota Statutes section 135A.046, focusing on public infrastructure improvements.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "135A.046",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Exemption from existing provisions under subdivision 3 for the Metropolitan Council."
      ],
      "summary": "The bill exempts the allocation of funds from certain provisions in Minnesota Statutes section 473.4465, subdivision 3.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "473.4465",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  }
]

Sponsors