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

This bill allocates $15 million in transportation tax revenue specifically for designing and constructing suicide prevention barriers on the Washington Avenue Pedestrian Bridge at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. The funds, redirected from the Metropolitan Council's active transportation budget, will replace the existing pedestrian enclosure and barriers to prevent suicides. The University of Minnesota Board of Regents must consult with suicide prevention organizations, experts, and individuals affected by suicide when planning the project. The bill modifies standard funding allocation rules to prioritize this safety project.