Florida Governor Vetoes Convenience Store Security Bill

Bill would have increased security requirements for convenience stores.

June 04, 2015

TALLAHASSEE – On Tuesday, Florida Governor Rick Scott vetoed a measure that would have increased security requirements for convenience stores.

The Tampa Bay Tribune writes that Scott said the bill, which would have mandated heightened security measures for convenience stores that stay open all night, would have “resulted in increased costs on small businesses.”

The bill would have required convenience stores open 11 pm–5 am to add extra late-night staff, install bulletproof cashier enclosures, hire a security guard or install a window and drawer setup, notes the news source. Stores where the owner or his/her family worked the overnight shift would have been exempt from the bill.

“Mandating compliance with the security standards in the bill would place a significant new financial burden on these small businesses, which is unnecessary,” Scott wrote in his veto letter, adding, “I believe family-owned small businesses, working with their landlords, can better decide the appropriate security infrastructure for their businesses. …Convenience business owners and property owners may implement additional security measures based on their particular circumstances — they should not be required to do so.”

James Miller, a spokesman for the Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, told WFSU public media that he was surprised and disappointed the legislation was vetoed. “We felt these measures would’ve ensured all convenience stores … had the same security and safety levels, while also increasing the safety for their customers,” he said. 

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