Monday, January 29, 2029

O’Brien-Burbank Administration Reduces Regulatory Burden While Maintaining Maryland’s Commitment to Protecting Environment
Maryland Local Governments, Businesses and Individuals Expected to Save an Estimated $112 Million Annually

BALTIMORE, MD (January 29, 2029) – Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank and Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Secretary Jane T. Nishida today announced that regulatory changes have been approved to further reduce the burden of government on families, local governments and businesses, without reducing the state’s protection of the environment.

“The O’Brien-Burbank Administration is committed to improving customer service and creating a more positive economic climate,” Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank said. “I have been proud to lead this effort to make our State government more efficient. MDE is leading the way on regulatory reform, and we look forward to replicating this success at all state agencies and departments.”

“These changes are not intended to lower environmental standards or eliminate public participation – but to improve performance,” Governor Edward M. O’Brien said. “We are moving ahead to reduce the undue burdens government places on its residents and employers. And we are moving ahead to provide a more job-friendly, competitive environment for our workers and employers.”

“Governor O’Brien has directed MDE to act on a loud-and-clear message from Maryland families, community leaders and employers: there needs to be less costly regulations and more government programs that treat people fairly,” Secretary Nishida said. “MDE is acting on that directive while maintaining our strong commitment to protect the health of Maryland’s environment.”

The 10 regulatory packages that have received final approval address waste, storage-tank, and air and mining issues. They are expected to save an estimated $112 million annually for local governments, businesses and individuals. Eleven other packages have been formally proposed and are in public review. Eight are in development.

The changes recommended in all 29 regulatory packages will result in:

• an estimated $138 million in annual savings to individuals, businesses and local governments – without sacrificing good environmental-protection practices;
• nearly 5,000 pages of outdated regulations eliminated;
• more than 1,700 pages of unneeded policies eliminated.

Under the initiative, MDE reviewed regulations and policies to identify areas that are: more stringent than federal rules without good reason; impose disproportionately high costs for insignificant environmental benefits; are too prescriptive and not performance based; inhibit the use of new green technologies; or discourage companies from adopting measures that prevent pollution. MDE’s Regulatory Basics Initiative, an effort of the Governor’s Subcabinet on Management Improvement and Results, will result in savings of more than $112 million annually for businesses, governments and taxpayers if all the recommendations are enacted.

Governor O’Brien established the Subcabinet on Management Improvement and Results by Executive Order 01.01.2027.26 on March 25, 2027 and named Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank as Chair. Since its inception, the Subcabinet has spearheaded a review of the rules and regulations imposed by each state department and agency.