Prince George’s County committee backs higher fire-inspection fees, raises top civil fine to $10,000

Prince George’s County’s Health, Human Services and Public Safety Committee voted 4–0 to give a favorable recommendation to CB 20‑20‑25, a bill that would raise fire inspection fees and increase the top civil fine for reckless endangerment from $5,000 to $10,000.

The bill, presented to the committee as CB 20‑20‑25 and sponsored at the request of the county executive, proposes amendments to the county fire prevention code to increase inspection fees, raise civil monitoring fines and adjust language related to dwellings and storage to mitigate fire hazards. Committee staff and legal counsel told members the change to a $10,000 maximum for certain violations is supported by state law governing fire prevention codes, not by the county’s Express Powers Act.

Why it matters: Committee members said the higher fine is aimed at reducing illegal, promoter-run large parties that have led to violent incidents and strain emergency response. Assistant Fire Chief Aaron White told…