Over the past week, members of the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate each approved versions of the State Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget, which preserve funding for key agencies and programs that support restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) thanks legislators for preserving these clean water programs and calls on General Assembly leaders to maintain Bay-focused funding as the Fiscal Year 2026 budget goes to conference committee.
Although significant funding cuts were made to environmental agencies, CBF believes this proposed budget will still allow Maryland to maintain momentum on Chesapeake Bay restoration despite the historic budget deficit. Earlier this session, the Department of Legislative Services (DLS) proposed steep, blanket cuts for many clean water programs that Marylanders, businesses, and ecosystems rely on. Legislators ultimately decided that these investments could not be jeopardized.
DLS had initially recommended zeroing out the 2010 Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, the Waterways Improvement Fund, and the Clean Water Commerce account—dollars that go directly to farmers, oyster growers, and restoration specialists who are improving Bay health and leveraging additional private and local government investments. Thanks to leadership in the House and Senate, these programs remain fully or near-fully funded in the current budget. Other programs, including Program Open Space and Tree Solutions Now, will receive targeted, short-term diversions.
Funding was also secured for new initiatives such as the Whole Watershed Act and the Department of Agriculture’s Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming (LEEF) program—a key component of Governor Moore’s Bay Legacy Act (SB428/HB506).
Allison Colden, CBF Maryland Executive Director, issued the following statement:
“Thankfully, General Assembly members came to the same conclusion we did: that investments in clean water and air are investments in Marylanders—our health, our jobs, and our ways of life.
“In light of the immense deficit challenges and prior recommendations that would have effectively ended several clean water programs, we commend the House and Senate for prioritizing the environment. While it’s not everything we hoped for, we believe this budget will allow agencies, nonprofit partners, businesses, and community members to progress toward a healthier Chesapeake Bay.
“As final details are hashed out, we urge the budget conference committee to maintain environmental program funding at the levels passed by each chamber.”
Maryland Communications & Media Relations Manager, CBF
vdimarzio@cbf.org
443-482-2023
