MARK SCHUMANN
Despite the aide of a $100,000 lobbying effort funded by the the Indian River County Commission, State Rep. Debbie Mayfield’s proposed House Bill 813, designed as the “Ratepayer Representation Act,” was retained by the House Energy and Utilities Subcommittee yesterday. The Subcommittee’s decision to not forward HB 813 on for consideration by the full House leaves Mayfield with one more proposed bill intended to bring municipal utilities across the state under regulation by the Florida Public Service Commission. Though the Committee could reconsider its Tuesday vote, that prospect, sources say, is remote.
Unlike HB 813, which effectively died in subcommittee yesterday, Mayfield’s HB 861 more directly targets municipal electric utilities that buy power from the Florida Municipal Power Agency. HB 861 has been referred to the House Energy and Utilities Subcommittee. Like HB 813, HB 861 faces strong opposition from the Florida League of Cities. The County’s $100,000 lobbyist is also working to secure passage of HB 861. Both bills are opposed by the Vero Beach City Council.
In addition to the two general bills that would apply statewide, Mayfield also filed two local bills in the current legislative session, HB 1287 and HB 1289. Both of Mayfield’s local bills are aimed at bringing Vero Beach electric and water and sewer utilities under regulation by the Public Service Commission. HB 1287 and HB 1289 have been referred to the House Local and Federal Affairs Committee.
Indian River Guardian 
Add another $100,000 to the over $1,500,000 in waisted fees to this terrible sales contract. It is so sad that in this rush to get an agreement no matter how terrible this agreement is, that will never be completed, we are waisting all this time and money. There is definetly some culpability to those who mislead everyone and signed the sales agreement. It is time to stop, stand back and reprioritize the sale of Vero Electric.
Has Rep. Mayfield ever had a bill that became law?
Debbie Mayfield is obviously over paid. She has yet to do anything beneficial for the community that she is alleged to represent. The only legislation that she has had be successful is in changing the name of the 17th Street brige to the Alma Lee Loy bridge.