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Board of Public Works

How the Board Works

Who is on the Board of Public Works? 

The Board of Public Works is made up of the three highest-ranking financial and executive leaders in Maryland's government. This includes Governor Wes More, Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman and State Treasurer Dereck Davis. 

What is the Board’s  Role in Maryland Government?

The Board of Public Works has three main jobs: managing the state’s biggest spending projects, making the rules for how Maryland buys goods and services, and helping to protect our environment.

The Board Approves:

  • The expenditure of all general obligation bond funds
  • The expenditure of funds for capital improvements except for State roads bridges and highways
  • The sale, lease, or transfer of State real and personal property

The Board and Procurement

  • Controls procurement policy and adopts procurement regulations 
  • Approves most contracts exceeding $200,000
  • Debars vendors from entering into contracts with the State when the vendor has been convicted or the vendor's participation will adversely affect the integrity of the procurement process  

The Board and Maryland Wetlands

  • Preserves and protects the State's submerged lands, shoreline, and tidal wetlands and authorizes licenses to dredge or fill wetlands.

Why Does the Board Meet?

The Board of Public Works doesn't make decisions behind closed doors. They do their work in public through regular, formal meetings. Here is exactly how these meetings work and how you can get involved

The Schedule: 
The Board typically meets every two weeks, usually on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 AM.  

The Location: 
Most meetings take place in the historic Governor's Reception Room, located on the second floor of the State House in Annapolis.  

Who Attends the Meetings:

  • The Highest Ranking Officials: The Governor, the Comptroller, and the Treasurer (or their official representatives) sit at the main table to debate and vote.
  • State Agencies: Officials from departments like the Department of Transportation, Department of General Services or the Higher Education Commission, as examples, attend to explain why they need approval for their specific projects.  
  • The Public: Regular Maryland residents, business owners, and journalists attend to watch the decision-making process.

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