Testimony supports property tax credit for FOP Lodge 34; county flags precedent risk

Sponsor Delegate Naraki presented HB 211 to authorize Baltimore County to grant a property tax credit to the Maryland Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 34, a community facility in Middle River. Sponsor said the lodge hosts community events, trainings and local meetings and asked delegates for a favorable report.

"FOP 34 represents the men and women of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police... this facility is also an active regional hub for community meetings," the sponsor said, noting frequent county and community use. Jim Krasinski, president of FOP Lodge 34, told delegates the lodge supports broad community events including toy drives for a pediatric hospital.

Delegation staff shared a fiscal-impact estimate discussed in testimony: a property tax credit for the lodge would have a small annual effect, approximately $10,000–$12,000. County staff said they would not take a position on the bill but cautioned about precedent: similar named community buildings appear in code, but the county said it needs to review whether other police lodges or private entities would expect the same treatment.

The hearing closed with the committee noting the bill’s enabling character and the need for further review of precedent and fiscal implications.