Good Morning!

Memorial Day is a federal holiday held the last Monday in May and is the nation’s foremost annual day to mourn and honor the bravest of service men and women who lost their lives while defending our nation.

Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day was formalized by a “Memorial Day Order” issued by the Grand Army of the Republic Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan in 1868. General Logan called for May 30, 1968 as a day to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers, wreaths, and flags. On May 30, 1968, the first Decoration Day was held at Arlington National Cemetery where five thousand participants came together to decorate the graves and honor the 20,000 fallen soldiers.

In 1971, Congress officially established Memorial Day as a national holiday to be observed on the last Monday of May each year. Ceremonies are held annually at the Arlington National Cemetery where American flags are placed at each grave site. A wreath-laying ceremony is also held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to remind us of the sacrifices made by military service men.

This past Friday on May 24th Governor DeSantis ordered all state flags to half staff through Monday, May 27th stating, “On Memorial Day, we honor the heroes of the United States armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. May we never forget the selfless bravery of the men and women who laid down their lives to protect their fellow citizens. Our hearts are heavy with gratitude for their unwavering commitment to protecting this nation’s highest ideal of freedom in the face of grave danger.”

I consider it a great honor to represent District 19. Please share this link with your friends and family so they too, can sign up for the Mayfield Minute.

If you or someone you know needs my assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office. My staff and I are here to serve you!

Bill Action by Governor DeSantis

 Since the close of the 2024 Legislation Session, Governor DeSantis has signed 207 bills into law, vetoed two bills, 27 remain pending his action, and 77 have not yet been sent for his consideration.

Below you will find underlined links to recently signed bills and bills pending. If you have any difficulty navigating the Senate website, please contact my office at 321-409-2025 and we will assist you.

Upon receipt of a bill, the Governor has seven days to sign, veto, or take no action at which point the bill will automatically become law.

Bills signed by Governor DeSantis last week include:

SB 92 – Yacht and Ship Brokers’ Act

CS/CS/CS/SB 892 – Dental Insurance Claims

HB 191 – Town of Orchid, Indian River County

CS/CS/CS/HB 275 – Offenses Involving Critical Infrastructure

CS/HB 415 – Pregnancy and Parenting Resources Website

HB 509 – Collier Mosquito Control District, Collier County

HB 691 – Town of Horseshoe Beach, Dixie County

CS/HB 1305 – Residential Tenancies

Bills received and pending consideration include:

CS/HB 1291 – Preparation Programs

CS/CS/HB 1389 – Digital Voyeurism

CS/SB 1616 – Electronic Access to Official Records

CS/CS/SB 804 – Gaming Licenses and Permits

HB 1025 – Municipal Service District of Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns County

CS/HB 141 – Economic Development

CS/CS/HB 1363 – Traffic Enforcement

CS/HB 1161 – Verification of Eligibility for Homestead Exemption

CS/CS/HB 1049 – Flood Disclosure in the Sale of Real Property

CS/HB 705 – Public Works Projects

CS/CS/HB 1203 – Homeowners’ Associations

CS/HB 1093 – Florida Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act

CS/CS/CS/HB 149 – Continuing Contracts

CS/HB 535 – Low-voltage Alarm System Projects

CS/HB 293 – Hurricane Protections for Homeowners’ Associations

CS/HB 481 – Building Construction Regulations and System Warranties

HB 59 – Provision Of Homeowners’ Association Rules and Covenants

HB 7085 – Sickle Cell Disease

HB 7009 – OGSR/Mental Health Treatment and Services

CS/HB 775 – Surrendered Infants

CS/HB 855 – Dental Services

CS/HB 1259 – Providers of Cardiovascular Services

CS/CS/HB 385 – Safe Exchange of Minor Children

CS/SB 7054 – Private Activity Bonds

CS/CS/SB 556 – Protection of Specified Adults

CS/CS/CS/SB 812 – Expedited Approval of Residential Building Permits

CS/SB 1142 – Occupational Licensing

CS/SB 644 – Rural Emergency Hospitals

SB 938 – Dentistry

CS/CS/SB 808 – Treatment by a Medical Specialist

CS/SB 1350 – Salvage

CS/CS/SB 1456 – Counties Designated as Areas of Critical State Concern

If you have an interest or concern regarding any of the above bills, you can also reach out to the Governor’s office directly here or contact my office at [email protected].

Statewide Update

  Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday

The sales tax holiday for disaster preparedness will take place June 1st thru June 14th for the 2024 hurricane season which is from June 1st thru November 30th. The sales tax holiday is part of a wide-ranging tax package (HB 7073) that the Florida Legislature passed during the 2024 session and Governor DeSantis signed on May 7th.

Hurricane predictors project a “turbulent” hurricane season with more than 21 named storms according to the World Meteorological Organization. Colorado State University researchers also have forecasted a “very, very busy hurricane season” based on expected La Niña conditions that would result in hurricane-favorable wind shear conditions and warm water.

A second sales tax holiday for disaster preparedness will be held August 14th thru September 6th. 

The sales tax holidays include items from batteries, fuel tanks, portable radios and portable generators in addition to sales tax exemptions on pet supplies and medicines.

For a concise breakdown of eligible items, click here.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Launches the 2024 Lionfish Challenge

The free, summer-long lionfish tournament is open to recreational and commercial anglers throughout the State.  Since FWC initiated the annual challenge eight years ago, more than 195,000 lionfish have been removed. 

The tournament lasts from May 24th thru September 2nd. 

Participation categories include commercial or recreational divisions and prizes will be awarded in the following tiers:

• Tier 1- Harvest 25 lionfish (recreational category) or 50 pounds of lionfish (commercial category).
• Tier 2- Harvest 75 lionfish (recreational category) or 100 pounds of lionfish (commercial category).
• Tier 3- Harvest 150 lionfish (recreational category) or 200 pounds of lionfish (commercial category).
• Tier 4- Harvest 300 lionfish (recreational category) or 400 pounds of lionfish (commercial category).
• Tier 5- Harvest 600 lionfish (recreational category) or 800 pounds of lionfish (commercial category).

Lionfish have become the poster child for invasive fish. Their population continues to expand threatening the well-being of our coral reefs and other marine ecosystems.

To read the full tournament rules and register, click here.

Constituent of the Week

 Colonel Patrick Keane

Our constituent of the week is Colonel Patrick Keane, (RET) United States Army.

Colonel Keane immigrated from Ireland to California with his family in 1957. After a few months of living in the United States, he was drafted into the United States Army. He said, once drafted he learned airborne soldiers could earn an additional $55 each month, so he enrolled in the airborne unit. 

Colonel Keane was deployed to Okinawa, Japan where he served as a paratrooper. His next deployment was Vietnam where he served two tours, the first as a Lieutenant in the Airborne Brigade and the second in the First Calvary Division, which he proudly claims is the “same regiment” that American Commander General George Armstrong Custer served in during the Civil War.   

Colonel Keane bravely survived two enemy combatant attacks while deployed in Vietnam. In 1966, he was wounded and survived an injury by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade. In 1970, he was also wounded and survived an enemy hand grenade strike. Because of Colonel Keane’s courage in serving our country and powering through the injuries he experienced, he was awarded the Purple Heart.  

In the 1970’s, he relocated to Tampa, Florida where he earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tampa. He was then relocated to Melbourne and attended Florida Institute of Technology where he completed his Master’s degree.

Upon completion of his college education, he began his career with General Electric. After several years of working with General Electric, they offered him a transfer to Korea or Germany as a project officer on military vehicles and equipment. He declined the international transfer and went into his second retirement. He now spends his time volunteering for various non-profit organizations.

Colonel Keane passionately serves recipients of the Meals on Wheels program and assists widows of Veterans to ensure they receive the entitlements they deserve after the loss of their loved one. He also sponsors the monthly Sunday Dinner for homeless Veterans in transition and takes the role of Santa Claus for homeless children.

Colonel Keane and his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth, reside in Brevard County just outside the City of Satellite Beach. They have two sons, both Veterans, and four grandchildren. On this Memorial Day, and every day, Colonel Keane and noble individuals just like him in our community deserve our gratitude and appreciation for their selfless service to our nation and our community.  

District Highlights

  New Emergency Operations Center in Brevard

Brevard County is marking a significant milestone with the opening of their new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Rockledge. The ground breaking event will take place on Friday, May 31st at 9:30 a.m. at 1751 Huntington Lane in Rockledge.

The 54,000 square-foot center is built to withstand Category 5 hurricane-strength winds, ensuring it remains operational during the most severe weather events. It will house the Emergency Management Department and the Unified Communications Center, which includes the Brevard County Sheriff and Fire Rescue 9-1-1 Dispatch.

The new EOC facility will be unveiled to the public during open houses scheduled for Saturday, June 1st, and Sunday, June 2nd, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visitors will have the chance to tour the facility, observe advanced emergency management technologies, and interact with representatives from key community partners such as the National Weather Service, the Salvation Army, and various county departments.

For more information contact Public Information Officer, Rachel Horst, by phone at 321-634-2165 or by email at [email protected].

Space Coast Officially Becomes Home of STARCOM

The Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) will now officially be headquartered at Patrick Space Force Base (PSFB).

In May 2023, PSFB and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station were named as the presumptive home for STARCOM. 

“Great news for Florida! Patrick Space Force Base has received final approval to become the permanent headquarters for STARCOM, bolstering Florida’s growing leadership in space,” Senator Marco Rubio posted last week. 

STARCOM is “responsible for the deliberate development, education and training of space professionals in addition to the development of space warfighting doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures, and the operational test and evaluation of Space Force systems,” according to an Air Force press release.

Upcoming Events

 Space Coast Alliance for Tech and Innovation (SCATI)

The Space Coast Alliance for Tech and Innovation (SCATI) is a new event series within the Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce. The chamber’s mission is to bring together both large and small companies to collaborate, network, discuss government contracting, and share best practices.

Companies participating in SCATI represent the science, technology, manufacturing, transportation, and communications industries in Brevard County, and include Blue Origin, Florida Tech, L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, Tomahawk Robotics, Vaya Space, and many others.

The event will take place at the Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce (4100 Dixie Highway NE) in Palm Bay on Tuesday, June 4th from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Tickets are $35 for members and $45 for guests. For more information, click here.

US Marine Corps Zachary M. Martin Memorial Run / Walk

The second annual Private First Class Zachary Matthew Martin, US Marine Corps, Run / Walk Memorial will take place on Saturday, June 8th from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Viera Regional Community Center (2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way) in Melbourne.

Tragically on June 28 2022, PFC Martin took his life after struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The Zachary M. Martin Memorial Run / Walk, Inc. non-profit organization was founded to raise funds for Veterans and discharged military members struggling with PTSD. The organizations goal is “Stop Soldier Suicide” and to ensure Veterans struggling receive the help they need.

To register for the Run / Walk or for more information, click here.

Fly-in / Drive-in Breakfast at the Warbird Air Museum

On Saturday, June 8th, the Warbird Air Museum (6600 Tico Road) in Titusville will host a Fly-in / Drive-in Breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The event is $12.00 per person and includes a chef prepared breakfast, a free tour of the Warbird Air Museum, and a 20% discount on an item from the gift store.

Since 1977, the Valiant Air Command, Inc. which operates the Warbird Air Museum, continues to attract aviation enthusiasts, Veterans, and pilots who follow the collection of historic planes from the beginning of human flight. Visitors to the facility and those attending the special event will experience unique, restored, and historic on display unlike anywhere else in the world.

For more information and secure your tickets, click here.

Contact Information

Melbourne Office 

900 East Strawbridge Avenue

Melbourne, FL 32901

(321) 409-2025

Tallahassee Office

400 Senate Office Building

404 South Monroe Street

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100

(850) 487-5019

Staff:

Yvette Campbell

Kelli Lane

Samantha Scaringe