Policy Update
Maryland Enacts HB 0578 to Protect Endangered Species Amid Proposed Federal Rollbacks
May 14, 2026
Overview
In April, Maryland enacted HB 0578 to help maintain strong protections for the state’s endangered wildlife. Currently, there are five federal regulations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that are at risk of being eliminated. Revoking these regulations would imperil endangered species by decreasing cooperation between agencies, shifting away from science-backed management, and removing habitat protection policies. Maryland has now become the first state to respond to the proposed rollbacks by codifying these rules into law, ensuring that its state agencies have robust authority to protect endangered species into the future.
- Why It Matters: The ESA is a leading federal policy that has prevented the extinction of more than 99% of listed species, with its success being the framework for many other countries. Five key ESA rules are now being targeted for elimination (more information on these proposals is available here and here). These rules currently enable the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to do the following under the ESA: coordinate with other agencies, protect threatened species efficiently, use the best available science in listing decisions, and consider climate change impacts. In December 2025, over 190 state legislators submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior and Department of Commerce to oppose these rules’ elimination, with Maryland now enshrining the rules into state law.
Key Components of the Bill
Maryland’s HB 0578 codifies five implementing regulations from the federal ESA that are currently being targeted for elimination. These regulations will do the following within Maryland’s borders:
- Maintain the definition of “harm” to include actions that degrade wildlife habitat.
- Ensure “endangered” or “threatened” listing decisions are grounded in science rather than economic considerations.
- Authorize critical habitat designation based on future threats to species survival, such as climate change.
- Maintain the “blanket rule” for threatened species, thereby granting them the same protections as endangered species.
- Enshrine interagency consultation by requiring state agencies to cooperate when making listing decisions and ensure their actions do not jeopardize listed species or destroy critical habitat.
National Context
In 2026, 13 states are taking action to protect endangered species. In total, 47 states and Puerto Rico have their own distinct version of the federal ESA, and in 2024 and 2025, three states enacted legislation to update their laws:
- Colorado HB 24-1117 (2024) allows the state Department of Natural Resources to manage state-endangered plants and insects.
- Washington SB 5950 (2024) allocated $30 million to protect biodiversity and endangered species.
- California AB 1319 (2025) requires the state Department of Fish & Wildlife to track decreases in federal protections for endangered species and to explore additional state-level protections.
Stay Informed on State Policy With NCEL
Stay up to date on endangered species policy trends with NCEL’s Bill Tracking Map or contact Justin Gulino to connect with fellow legislators on this topic.
You can also learn more about this topic by exploring the following NCEL resources: