Special golf tournament permits

Some of the world’s best female golfers are expected to tee it up at the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open at Interlachen Country Club in Edina.

But they, and event officials, will need ways to get to and from the course and anywhere else they’d like to visit while in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Sponsored by Rep. Shelley Madore (DFL-Apple Valley), HF3558 would require the Driver and Vehicle Services Division of the Public Safety Department to issue at least 250 special permits for courtesy vehicles to be used at the late-June tournament. The vehicle manufacturer is to cover the $10 fee associated with each special permit to make the bill revenue-neutral.

Approved April 9 by the House Finance Committee, the bill was sent to the House Ways and Means Committee.

The same thing occurred when the men played Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska for the 1991 U.S. Open.

The tournament committee would be liable for any parking violations connected to a vehicle with a special permit, unless special information on the driver and employer are provided within 15 days after the committee becomes aware of the violation.

A companion bill, SF3069, sponsored by Sen. Geoff Michel (R-Edina), has been incorporated into the Senate omnibus transportation policy bill (SF3223), which awaits action by the Senate Finance Committee.