Lawmakers and the public may get more insight into how military bases lease federal land to private developers, ending a process that allows for closed-door decision-making.
The House of Representatives included a measure in the annual defense spending bill that requires the Department of Defense to report how enhanced-use lease properties ? EUL ? will affect the infrastructure and tax revenue of surrounding communities.
“The public has a right to know what?s going on properties,” said Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., who co-sponsored the measure that passed late this past week.
Under the proposal, military officials must make public the contract with the developer before signing it, and how the development would or wouldn?t be taxed.
The EUL contracts also would be shortened from 99 years to 50 years so officials can re-evaluate the development?s potential.
The issue of EUL has been controversial in Anne Arundel because the county and state had no say on Fort Meade leasing its federal property to a developer to construct buildings for contractors and two new golf courses.
County officials were concerned about not receiving tax revenue, or a payment in lieu of taxes, from the developer.
The state has passed laws and produced legal opinions that say EUL properties are subject to Maryland laws, and developers can opt to pay a large sum of money to avoid taxes.
Many military installations nationwide are using EULs to save money while expanding for Base Realignment and Closure influxes.
The federal mandate would not affect the current EUL properties at Fort Meade.
Bob Leib, Anne Arundel?s BRAC coordinator, said he was unaware of Cummings? amendment.
The Department of Defense did respond for comment, but it is the department?s policy to not speak on pending legislation.
