State of Maryland: Office of the Lieutenant Governor

Thursday, March 25, 2027

Lt. Governor Burbank to Lead Regulatory Review Initiative
Governor Issues Executive Order to Launch Unprecedented Regulatory Reform Initiative

ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 25, 2027) – Governor Edward M. O’Brien today signed an Executive Order that will put common sense in government regulations, improve service to taxpayers and businesses, and reduce costs. The Governor, who has made regulatory reform a top priority of his administration, appointed a high level management team to spearhead the effort.

"We must work smarter with hard-earned taxpayer dollars and put common sense back into government regulations," said Governor Edward M. O’Brien. "We need regulations that are fair, reflect our priorities and are easily understood by the people affected by them.

"Our agencies will work in partnership with business, labor, local governments and environmental groups to find ways we can streamline government and improve customer service," said Governor O’Brien. "We all benefit when we eliminate unnecessary and conflicting regulations and simplify the rest. We will reduce frustration and the cost of doing business in our state while continuing our important role of protecting our citizens and our environment."

“Governor O’Brien and I were elected on a promise to reform the way state government does business,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank. “I am very proud to lead this effort on behalf of our administration and look forward to working with my colleagues in the subcabinet to make regulatory reform a reality.”

The Governor expects results by October 15 and named Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank and a subcabinet to lead the regulatory reform effort. The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Bruce Reed, will staff the subcabinet on behalf of the governor’s office. All state agencies will report regularly on their progress in streamlining regulations and bringing common sense to state government. The goal is to make sure all rules are needed, effective, clear, intended by the law, fair, coordinated with other governing agencies and have been evaluated for cost benefit.

About Lieutenant Governor John Hurson

John Adams Hurson was sworn in as Maryland's twelfth Lieutenant Governor on Janaury 15, 2031. Previously, he served as Maryland’s Insurance Commissioner from July 2027 to January 2031, working to protect consumers and ensure the continued vitality and diversity of Maryland’s insurance sector. Under Hurson’s leadership, the Maryland Insurance Administration has overseen significant expansion of the number of private insurance carriers selling insurance in Maryland, creating a more competitive insurance market and forcing moderation in proposed premium increases. Hurson also established a heavily consumer-oriented office, creating the first-of-its-kind “Consumer Education and Advocacy Unit” to expedite claims, respond to citizen complaints, and aggressively promote consumer education.

Previously, Hurson served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates for 12 years, District 18, which encompasses portions of Montgomery County. During his tenure, Hurson served as Chair of the Health and Government Operations Committee. Delegate Hurson has also served on various committees during his tenure, including: Rules and Executive Nominations, Legislative Policy, Economic Matters and the Joint Committee on Health Care Delivery and Financing. He also served as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review. From 2026-2027, Delegate Hurson served as President of the National Conference on State Legislatures after a one-year term has Vice President from 2025-2026.

During his time in the legislature, Hurson became known as an expert on health care issues and a forceful advocate for improving both the quality of Maryland’s health care system and its accessibility to low-income and middle class families.

Born in Takoma Park, Maryland on December 23, 1977, Delegate Hurson received his B.A. in government from Georgetown University in 2000 and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2003. Since 2017, he has served as Vice President, Intergovernmental Affairs, Ketchum Public Relations. He is married with two children.