TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Along with signing 17 bills into law Tuesday, Florida Governor Rick Scott vetoed two bills. One of these vetoed bills, HB 755, was intended to increase convenience-store security.
Lawmakers approved the c-store security bills without opposition during this spring's regular legislative session, reported the News Service of Florida.
"This bill mandates that certain convenience-store businesses implement additional state-prescribed security devices and standards. This mandate would increase state regulations, which would result in increased costs on small businesses," Scott said in his veto letter.
"Under this legislation, certain family-owned small businesses, which operate from 11:00 p.m. to m5:00 a.m., would be compelled by law to add potentially costly security infrastructure. Small businesses currently have the flexibility to add whatever security upgrades they deem reasonable," he said. Mandating compliance with the security standards in the bill would place a significant new financial burden on these small businesses, which is unnecessary."
He continued, "Family-owned small businesses ... can better decide the appropriate security infrastructure for their businesses. Convenience business owners … may implement additional security measures based on their particular circumstances--they should not be required to do so based on overboard, state-mandated regulation."
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Charlie Stone (R), would have required convenience stores to have security camera systems, drop safes for restricted access to cash receipts, policies to limit cash after 11:00 p.m. and height markers at the doors, said the report.
Any convenience store where a murder, robbery, sexual battery or aggravated assault occurred would have been required to have two employees on the clock when open between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. The bill would also have required all employees at such locations to receive robbery-deterrence and safety training within 60 days of being hired, the report said.
James Miller, spokesperson for the Florida Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association (FPMA), told CSP Daily News that the group was "disappointed" that the governor vetoed the legislation, "considering it unanimously passed both the Senate and House. We worked closely with bill sponsors Representative Charlie Stone and Senator Denise Grimsley on legislation which would’ve reduced the liability on property owners by requiring increased safety and security measures by store operators. These measures would’ve ensured all c-stores had the same security and safety levels, while also increasing safety for customers."
He added, "Even though the bill was unsuccessful this year, we look forward to working with the Senate, House and Governor’s Office next session to craft revised legislation that safeguards both businesses and customers and is supported by all parties involved."
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