Governor Larry Hogan issued an executive order yesterday to establish a Regulatory Reform Commission charged with conducting a comprehensive review of Maryland’s regulatory climate in an effort to identify problems that could potentially impact Maryland’s business environment. As described in the Governor’s press release,
“For years, over-burdensome and out of control regulations were making it impossible for businesses to stay in Maryland,” said Governor Hogan. “We promised a top to bottom review of all state regulations and policies to make sure that Maryland could once again operate under a fair, accountable and balanced regulatory climate. This Commission will look to see what regulations have outlived their usefulness, have failed to accomplish their objectives, or are so poorly written, implemented, or interpreted that they cause much more harm than good.”
Public meetings in various regions of the state will be conducted to study the impact of Maryland’s regulatory climate on the business community, relevant stakeholders and the public. Various sectors will be reviewed and analyzed including, but not limited to transportation, environment and land use, health care, business occupations and licensing, banking and financial services, capital formation insurance, labor and employment, agriculture, and tourism.
Lt. Governor Rutherford will oversee the work of the Commission, which will remain in effect for three years and provide annual reports to the Governor by December 1 each year.
As reported by the Washington Post, some members of the General Assembly raised issues with the formation of the group.
Democratic lawmakers suggested Thursday that they’re well ahead of Hogan on fixing the state’s business climate. Del. C. William Frick (D-Montgomery) noted that his party pushed through legislation that requires the state to consider how new regulations would impact small businesses and created the Augustine Commission, which provided recommendations this year for improving economic development.
Additional coverage can be found in the Baltimore Sun and Daily Record (subscription required).
